Spotted Archerfish (Toxotes chatareus)

Spotted Archerfish (Toxotes chatareus)

A matured Spotted Archerfish found along a seawall at out southern shores.

Family: Toxotidae

Species Name: Toxotes chatareus
Common Name(s): Spotted Archerfish

Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Mangrove swamps, tidal rivers and other coastal habitats with varying salinity.
Conservation status: Near Threatened (Red Data Book 3)

Archerfishes are one of the most popular fishes in the world, renowned for their ability to shoot jets of water at prey outside of water. To shoot down prey, an archerfish would place their tongue against the roof of its mouth to form a tube, which it then closes its gill operculum at high speeds to force water through. It is suggested that archerfishes are able to compensate for the refraction and process targets in three-dimension. All archerfishes share the same deep-bodied build, with a large superior (upward-facing) mouth fitting its lifestyle.

Of the two archerfish species in Singapore, the Spotted Archerfish is uncommon and usually seen singly. This is one of the larger archerfish species, growing to a maximum length of around 40cm. In upstream habitats and mangrove swamps, the Spotted Archerfish forages for insects above water to shoot down similar to the Banded Archerfish. They are omnivorous with an opportunistic diet which changes depending on location. Further out to sea, they feed on crustaceans, plant matter and smaller fishes. 

A juvenile Spotted Archerfish found alone in the presence of other fishes with no Banded Archerfishes in sight at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve's Eagle Point.

Interestingly, the Spotted Archerfish seems to be more tolerant of strong water currents than the Banded Archerfish. It can be seen swimming alone out in the open while its relatives take shelter at the sides or along structures during a changing tide. Spotted Archerfishes are also less common upstream in freshwater, being found more often in estuarine habitats and sometimes even saltwater.

They can be differentiated from the Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) by usually having bright, golden-yellow eyes and spots with alternating sizes.

 

A Spotted Archerfish next to a Banded Archerfish at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Spot the differences!

References

• Lim, K.K.P. & Low, J.K.Y. 1998. A Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, 163 pp. ISBN 981-00-9904-5.
• National Parks Board (NParks). Marine Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/marine-fishes.