Archer Fish (Freshwater/brakish)

[kniesh]

Hi, I went to Pier Aquatics today because I am moving all my tanks around after buying another cubed tank on Friday. Anyway, I bought a Centipede Knife Fish Steatogenys duidae, and 3 Archers. The Archers were listed as freshwater specifically. and I trust this shop more than any other shop I go to. However I have always heard there were no freshwater species and I was wondering if anyone had good info on whether there are? It doesn't really matter as I have a Brackish tank already and they will just be placed in there for the long run if needs be. I now have 3 tanks to stock really with my main 6x2x2 180gallon tank becoming an oddball tank for the Archers and Knifefish, plus others hopefully.

 

[nmonks]

There is a single freshwater archerfish traded, Toxotes microlepis. The other two traded species are brackish water fish. See my FAQ for clues on distinguishing between them.

Cheers, Neale

 

[kniesh]

Thanks a lot Neale, as ever very helpful. It's definately Toxotes microlepis, as the spots on the dorsal fin are seperate from the bars. Excellent news, although I have a tank they could have gone in for brackish, I really wanted them in the big oddball tank.

 

[kniesh]

Just a quick question too please. Will these only eat live foods? I have tried a few frozen stuff so far and they dont seem to entertain it. I am planning on buyin crickets an such anyway but would like to get them on frozen foods?

 

[nmonks]

Archerfish will eat most floating foods readily. My specimens ate Hikari Cichlid Gold and trout pellets, as well as prawns, squid, and white fish fillet.

Cheers, Neale