Banded archerfish

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Banded archerfish

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Toxotidae
Genus: Toxotes
Species:
T. jaculatrix
Binomial name
Toxotes jaculatrix
(Pallas, 1767)
Synonyms[2]
  • Sciaena jaculatrix Pallas, 1767

The banded archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) is a

perciform fish of the archerfish genus Toxotes. It is silvery in colour and has a dorsal fin towards the posterior end. It has distinctive, semi-triangular markings along its sides.[3] It is best known for its ability to spit a jet of water to "shoot down" prey.[2][4] Larger specimens may be able to hit prey 2 to 3 metres (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) away.[4] The banded archerfish may reach the displaced prey within 50 milliseconds of its hitting the water.[5]

The name (binomial as well as common) refers to

aquarium fish, though they are difficult to care for and not recommended for most home aquaria.[2]

Taxonomy and etymology

Banded archerfish, illustrated in Bleeker's 1878 Atlas Ichthyologique

Toxotes jaculatrix were originally described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1767. Since then, several synonyms (such as Labrus jaculatrix and Sciaena jaculatrix) and misspellings (Toxotes jaculator) have come into use.[6][2]

Toxotes is Greek for "bowman" or "archer", and specifically refers to Sagittarius.[7] The species name jaculatrix is related to the English jaculate and means "thrower" or "caster" (of a dart or arrow). Both the common name and binomial name refer to the banded archerfish's habit of catching prey by shooting "arrows" of water through its mouth.[8]

Description

Banded archerfish have four dorsal spines, 11 to 13 dorsal

caudal fin is "dirty green" and about the same height until the point of attachment, where it becomes shallower.[3] The anal fin is silver.[9]

The body of the banded archerfish is oblong in shape and raised on the posterior side. The body is generally silver-white in colour, though varying colourations, such as yellow, have been observed.

caudal peduncle).[3] These bars become shorter as the fish ages. The lateral line curves upwards at the area between the fourth and ninth lateral scales.[3] Banded archerfish can reach a maximum length of 30 centimetres (12 in); however, average length is about 20 centimetres (7.9 in).[2]

Banded archerfish have large eyes, which, unlike many other fishes, are positioned for binocular vision.[9] The head is slightly shorter than the body, with a distinctively pointed snout. Juveniles may be yellow-green to brown on the dorsal side and silvery on the ventral side. The juveniles' flanks are grey-green.[9] Some banded archerfish have irregular yellow patches between their bands.[10]

The possibility of sexual dimorphism in banded archerfish has not been investigated.[11]

Comparison to other archerfish

The banded archerfish and its relative the largescale archerfish (

Toxotes microlepis. These are more difficult to distinguish, but the most striking difference is in the last two bands. While both species have four or five wedge-shaped bands, those of the banded archerfish extend to the dorsal fin, whereas those of the smallscale archerfish do not; there are two spots on the dorsal fin separate from the main bar.[12]

Behaviour

Diet and feeding

Banded archerfish are

schools while learning aim, increasing the chance that at least one shot will hit the target. Their diet also comprises underwater prey, including crustaceans and small fishes.[13]

Shooting

The banded archerfish shooting water at insects

Banded archerfish have mouths adapted to spit jets of water over distance, usually to knock prey into the water. The banded archerfish shoots the jet of water by raising its tongue against the roof of its mouth, forming a tube. The opercula then close quickly, pressurizing water along the tube.[4] Most archerfish are able to spit at a range of 150 centimetres (59 in),[2] though some larger specimens may be capable of ranges of up to 2 to 3 metres (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in).[4] When a prey is shot down, the banded archerfish begins to move towards the place where it will land within 100 milliseconds and can reach it within 50 ms of its hitting the water.[5]

A study found that banded archerfish could be trained to hit moving targets at an accuracy rate of greater than 50%.[14] According to this study, the ability to hit moving targets is a complex learned behaviour, and can be learnt from other members of the school. The study concluded that fish could shoot more accurately after observing other members of the school shooting.[14]

The banded archerfish is able to hit targets with a high degree of accuracy, despite refraction of light at the water-air interface. It was believed that they are able to achieve this level of accuracy by positioning their bodies to shoot from directly under the intended target.[9] However, later studies have found that banded archerfish are able to achieve great accuracy even at angles, suggesting that they are somehow able to compensate for refraction.[14][15] This may also suggest that banded archerfish are capable of three-dimensional tasks.[15]

The shooting behaviour of the banded archerfish is affected by the presence of conspecifics (members of the same species). When conspecifics are visible, this archerfish usually takes longer to shoot, aims more often, and shoots from a closer distance. This is hypothesized to occur to decrease the possibility of kleptoparasitism occurring.[16]

Breeding

The breeding habits of the banded archerfish are not well known. Banded archerfish first begin to breed when they are about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long.[9] The banded archerfish reproduces by spawning. There are reports that banded archerfish go to saltwater reefs to spawn, but these have not been confirmed.[17] Archerfish lay 20,000 to 150,000 eggs at a time.[13] Banded archerfish rarely breed in captivity.[10]

Distribution and habitat

The banded archerfish inhabits the

Philippine Islands, southwards to Australia, as well as in waters off the Solomon Islands and the Indonesian Archipelago.[2] It has been observed as far east as the New Hebrides (now known as Vanuatu).[18]
The banded archerfish occurs mainly in areas of brackish water.
do not do so to breed.[19]

Relationship with humans

Banded archerfish are fairly common in the Indo-Pacific and are not currently endangered.

mangrove swamp habitat and by pollution.[13]

In aquaria

Species in the genus

aquarium fish.[2] In aquaria, the banded archerfish can grow up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) long.[10] They swim at the top level of the aquarium. Banded archerfish can be kept in small groups of three to five;[17] fish of the same size get along but fish that are larger may be aggressive towards those that are smaller,[11] and even try to eat them.[17] They may live from five to eight years in captivity, and occasionally nine or ten. Banded archerfish need warm water, usually between 25 and 30 °C (77 and 86 °F).[11] The aquarium should be large with middling amounts of plant growth and plenty of space for swimming. It should be at least 20 to 30 centimetres (7.9 to 11.8 in) deep.[11]

Banded archerfish are generally not recommended for average home

flake food, and are therefore difficult to feed.[11] They need brackish water as well as a tall canopy. In the wild they are able to jump out of the water to capture prey on overhanging branches; a tall canopy is required to prevent their jumping out of the aquarium.[17] Banded archerfish should be kept in an aquarium with a volume of at least 45 to 55 US gallons (170 to 210 L; 37 to 46 imp gal), though a greater volume is preferred.[10] Because of such difficulties in caring for banded archerfish, the species has not yet been successful bred in captivity.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T196451A2458352.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2010). "Toxotes jaculatrix" in FishBase. January 2010 version.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Weber, Max Carl Wilhelm; Lieven Ferdinand de Beaufort (1936). The Fishes of the Indo-australian Archipelago VII. The Fishes of the Indo-australian Archipelago. Vol. 7. Leiden: E. J. Brill Ltd. pp. 200–201.
  4. ^ a b c d e McGrouther, Mark (15 May 2009). "Banded Archerfish, Toxotes jaculatrix (Pallas, 1767)". Australian Museum. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-312-37116-6
    .
  6. ^ "Toxotes jaculatrix". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  7. ISBN 978-0-87220-721-9
    .
  8. ^ Jordan, David Starr (1905). A guide to the study of fishes. Vol. 2. H. Holt and Company. p. 400.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Burton, Maurice (1994). "Archerfish". International Wildlife Encyclopedia. Marshall Cavendish.
  10. ^ a b c d Butler, Rhett A. (1995). "Archerfish". Mongabay.com. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  11. ^
    ISBN 1-890087-12-2
    .
  12. ^ a b c Monks, Neale; Bruce Hansen. "Archerfish, family Toxotidae". Brackish Water Aquarium FAQ. Archived from the original on 25 April 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  13. ^ a b c "Archerfish". Monterey Bay Aquarium. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  14. ^
    PMID 16488871
    .
  15. ^
    PMID 12324541
    . Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  16. S2CID 53266544
    .
  17. ^ a b c d e "Banded Archerfish". Microcosm Aquarium Explorer. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  18. ISBN 3-11-010661-2
    .
  19. ISBN 978-90-481-2405-3
    .
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toxotes jaculatrix.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Banded_archerfish&oldid=1213049803"