Spotted Archerfish

Toxotes chatareus is a larger and more robust archerfish than T. jaculatrix, found across South and Southeast Asia in mangroves, rivers, and coastal habitats. It shares the same extraordinary spitting ability and can reach 40 cm in captivity. Adults are highly predatory and should be housed with appropriately large and robust companions.

Water: 25–30 °C, pH 7.5–8.5, specific gravity 1.005–1.015; maintain stable brackish conditions. Tank: 500 L minimum; tall tanks with a generous air gap for spitting behaviour. Feeding: Carnivorous; large insects, frozen krill, prawns, and large floating pellets. Behaviour: Bold and predatory; more aggressive than T. jaculatrix; keep in a species group of 3–5. Compatibility: Very large brackish fish only; swallows anything small enough to fit in its mouth.