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Smallscale archerfish (Toxotes microlepis) — Toxotidae

Smallscale archerfish

Toxotes microlepis
Family: Toxotidae

The Smallscale archerfish (Toxotes microlepis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Toxotidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Smallscale archerfish is an archerfish (Toxotidae) from fresh and brackish water of fresh and brackish water of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 15 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 Smallscale archerfish?

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

Where does the Smallscale archerfish live?

The Smallscale archerfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Smallscale archerfish get?

The Smallscale archerfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Smallscale archerfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Smallscale archerfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinschub-schutter sourced
English name
Smallscale archerfish sourced
Scientific name
Toxotes microlepis
Family
Toxotidae
Other names
Riflefish; Smallscale archerfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 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
Brackish 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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