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Kimberley archerfish (Toxotes kimberleyensis) — Toxotidae

Kimberley archerfish

Toxotes kimberleyensis
Family: Toxotidae

The Kimberley archerfish (Toxotes kimberleyensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Toxotidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Kimberley archerfish is an archerfish (Toxotidae) from fresh and brackish water of fresh water of the Kimberley region in northwestern Australia. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body with black spots or bars and an upturned mouth with large eyes. Characteristically it shoots a targeted jet of water to knock insects from overhanging twigs and leaves into the water. It also hunts insects and small invertebrates at the surface. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kimberley archerfish?

The Kimberley archerfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Kimberley archerfish live?

The Kimberley archerfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Kimberley archerfish get?

The Kimberley archerfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Kimberley archerfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Kimberley archerfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kimberley-schutter sourced
English name
Kimberley archerfish sourced
Scientific name
Toxotes kimberleyensis
Family
Toxotidae
Other names
Large scale archerfish; Western archer fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Toxotes

More from the family Toxotidae

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