Barred Bichir
Polypterus delhezi
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Species profile
Banded Archerfish
Toxotes jaculatrix
Common names: Banded Archerfish, Archer Fish, Northern Rifle-Fish, Riflefish
Recognized speciesOddballs
Adult size
Up to 30 cm
Up to 30 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper with room for a large aquarium
Think carefully if
- You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 5 or more
- You cannot provide about 432 litres for a fully grown fish
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
Famous for shooting insects off overhanging leaves with jets of water. Keep a group of at least 5 in 432 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
Famous for shooting insects off overhanging leaves with jets of water. It is a silver fish with dark bars, reaches about 30 cm, and lives best in brackish water.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Sexes are often hard to tell apart.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 1,730–2,160 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 425–650 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 432 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 8
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low to moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
This is an unusual fish with particular needs, so plan the tank around it. Check the adult size before you buy, and use a secure lid.
Behaviour and Tankmates
An unusual fish, kept for its looks and behaviour rather than as a community fish.
Varies by species, so see the notes.
Varies by species.
Choose tankmates with care, and check whether it will eat small fish, or be bullied by faster ones. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Keep the pH steady, because this fish is sensitive to swings. Adults do best in brackish water, with marine salt added.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality pellets or flakeA good staple. Choose a size that fits its mouth.
- Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimpOffer several times a week for colour and condition.
- Algae or vegetable-based foodInclude some plant matter for balance.
Diet varies, so check what your fish accepts when you buy it.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding difficulty
- Not commonly bred
- Parental care
- Unknown
Little has been recorded about breeding this fish in aquariums.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Asia, Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oceania, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vanuatu
- Natural habitat
- Freshwater Stream, Lake, River, Swamp
- Aquarium contexts
- Brackish Aquarium, Large Freshwater Aquarium, Needs Brackish Water, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Advanced
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Toxotes
- Family
- Toxotidae
- Species group
- Fish, Oddballs
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Black Barred Silver Dollar
Myloplus schomburgkii
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 173 litres
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Fire Eel
Mastacembelus erythrotaenia
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 100 cm
- Minimum tank
- 432 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Four-banded Tigerfish
Datnioides polota
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 648 litres
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C