Fish Active during the day

Zebra Archerfish

Toxotes blythii

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Meet the 'sharpshooter' of the freshwater world. The Zebra Archerfish is a stunning Myanmar native that uses high-pressure water jets to hunt insects with sniper-like accuracy.

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Quick Identification

Size

Reaches up to 15 cm (6 inches) in length.

Colors

Shimmering silver or pale gold body with 4-5 irregular, vertical black bars or 'zebra' blotches that extend down the upper half of the body.

Key Features

Distinctive vertical black 'zebra' stripes
Large, upward-oriented mouth
Dorsal fin set far back on the body
Large, expressive eyes positioned for surface hunting

When You’ll See Them

Activity pattern Active during the day

Peak hours 7-11 AM, 3-6 PM

Season Year-round

Diet Primarily insectivorous, specializing in terrestrial insects like flies, grasshoppers, and spiders, supplemented by small aquatic crustaceans and larvae.

Habitat Slow-moving freshwater rivers, shaded forest streams, and backwater channels with significant overhanging canopy.

Geographic range

Where Does the Zebra Archerfish Live?

The Zebra Archerfish is native to the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar, where it is a regional specialist. It is primarily found in the freshwater reaches of major river systems, including the lower Irrawaddy, Sittaung, and Salween rivers. Unlike the more common Banded Archerfish, this species avoids high-salinity environments and is rarely found far from the lush, shaded banks of inland waterways.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

150K km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

Myanmar

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Zebra Archerfish is a master of precision and one of the most specialized hunters in the aquatic world. Unlike many of its cousins that frequent brackish mangroves, this species is a dedicated freshwater specialist. It spends much of its day hovering just below the water's surface, using its highly developed eyesight to track insects and spiders crawling on overhanging vegetation.

When a target is identified, the archerfish presses its tongue against a groove in the roof of its mouth to create a 'gun barrel.' By snapping its gill covers shut, it fires a high-pressure jet of water that can knock an insect off a leaf from up to two meters away. Once the prey hits the water, the fish strikes instantly. They are social creatures when young but can become territorial over prime hunting spots as they mature.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Zebra Archerfish on camera, you need to focus on the interface between water and air. If you have a backyard pond or a riverside property, position your camera at a low angle, roughly 6 inches above the water level. Aim the lens toward low-hanging branches or driftwood that extend over the water, as these are the primary 'shooting galleries' where the fish hunt for insects.

Because the archerfish's water jet happens in a split second, use a camera with a high-speed trigger or set your video to a high frame rate (60fps or higher). Standard motion sensors may struggle with the splash, so a 'time-lapse' mode set to short intervals (every 2-5 seconds) during peak morning hours can often yield better results for capturing the actual strike.

To encourage the fish to visit your camera's field of view, try to attract their prey rather than the fish themselves. Planting native flowering shrubs that attract flies or hanging a small piece of fruit just above the water line can create a reliable hunting spot. Avoid placing the camera where it faces directly into the sun, as the glare off the water surface will likely blow out the fish's reflective silver scales.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Zebra Archerfish.

Smallscale Archerfish

Features much smaller scales and more uniform vertical bars; it is also found in a wider range across Southeast Asia.

Banded Archerfish

Typically found in brackish mangroves rather than freshwater; has five distinct black bands rather than the irregular 'zebra' pattern.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Zebra Archerfish are diurnal, meaning they are most active during daylight hours. They are particularly busy in the mid-morning and late afternoon when insects are most active on the overhanging vegetation above the water's surface.

If you live in their native range, the best way to attract Zebra Archerfish is to provide a habitat with slow-moving freshwater and plenty of overhanging 'marginal' plants. Attracting terrestrial insects like flies and spiders to these plants will give the fish a reason to patrol the area.

Their diet consists mostly of terrestrial insects such as crickets, flies, and spiders that they knock into the water. They also eat small aquatic invertebrates and fish fry that happen to swim near the surface.

They are relatively rare and restricted to specific river basins in Myanmar. In these areas, they may be found in suburban riverside gardens, but they are far less common than other archerfish species.

Zebra Archerfish have more irregular, 'clouded' black markings that often resemble vertical zebra stripes, whereas Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) have very distinct, thick black blocks. Additionally, the Zebra Archerfish is found only in freshwater, while Banded Archerfish prefer brackish water.

Zebra Archerfish measures reaches up to 15 cm (6 inches) in length.

The Zebra Archerfish is native to the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar, where it is a regional specialist. Zebra Archerfish prefer slow-moving freshwater rivers, shaded forest streams, and backwater channels with significant overhanging canopy.

The Zebra Archerfish is listed as Least Concern.

Peak season for Zebra Archerfish is Year-round.

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