Banded archerfish, Toxotes jaculatrix

Banded archerfish. The banded archerfish is known for its ability to shoot down resting insects by spitting a jet of water. Large archerfishes can hit a target 2-3m away. Archerfishes have adaptations to the mouth which enable spitting. When a banded archerfish shoots a jet of water, it raises its tongue against the roof of the mouth forming a tube. The gill covers quickly close forcing water along the tube. This species mostly lives in mangrove and estuarine habitats throughout much of the Indo-Pacific., Toxotes jaculatrix, natural history stock photograph, photo id 12904
Banded archerfish. The banded archerfish is known for its ability to shoot down resting insects by spitting a jet of water. Large archerfishes can hit a target 2-3m away. Archerfishes have adaptations to the mouth which enable spitting. When a banded archerfish shoots a jet of water, it raises its tongue against the roof of the mouth forming a tube. The gill covers quickly close forcing water along the tube. This species mostly lives in mangrove and estuarine habitats throughout much of the Indo-Pacific.

Species: Banded archerfish, Toxotes jaculatrix
Image ID: 12904
Format: Digital 3:2
Keywords: animal, banded archerfish, creature, fish, fish behavior, hunting, indo-pacific, marine, marine fish, nature, ocean, sea, teleost fish, toxotes jaculatrix, underwater, wildlife
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