banded banded water fish genus colour dorsal fin posterior end distinctive semi triangular markings sides best known ability spit jet water shoot prey larger specimens able hit prey metres away banded reach displaced prey hitting water common refers archer unusual method banded use capture prey banded found waters generally river mouths fresh salt water course lifetime breed markings colour banded kept fish difficult care recommended home taxonomy etymology originally described synonyms come use greek archer specifically refers species related english means arrow common refer banded habit catching prey shooting arrows water mouth description banded dorsal spines dorsal soft rays anal spines longest anal soft rays spine shortest rays shorter posterior end scales dorsal spine posterior nostrils certain areas body tinged green fish olive green brown dorsal fin yellowish green located posterior end base shorter anal fin caudal fin dirty green height point attachment shallower anal fin silver body banded shape raised posterior body generally silver white colour varying yellow observed broad black bars present dorsal bar found anterior bony plate covering gills second found bar found origin dorsal fin fourth bar soft dorsal fifth area anal fin caudal fin caudal bars shorter fish ages lateral line curves upwards area fourth ninth lateral scales banded reach maximum length centimetres average length centimetres banded large eyes unlike fishes positioned vision head slightly shorter body pointed snout juveniles yellow green brown dorsal ventral juveniles flanks grey green banded irregular yellow patches bands possibility sexual banded investigated comparison banded relative grouped sold label banded dorsal spines banded usually wedge shaped bands seven spots shorter bands regular alternating pattern unlike banded colour banded confused difficult distinguish striking difference bands species wedge shaped bands banded extend dorsal fin spots dorsal fin separate main bar behaviour diet feeding banded daytime come surface feed floating matter diet comprises plant matter insects able shoot banded able capture prey jumping water seizing low branches young form small schools learning aim increasing chance shot hit target diet comprises underwater prey including crustaceans small fishes shooting banded mouths adapted spit jets water distance usually knock prey water banded shoots jet water raising tongue roof mouth forming tube close quickly water tube able spit range centimetres larger specimens capable ranges metres prey shot banded begins place land reach hitting water study found banded trained hit moving targets accuracy rate greater according study ability hit moving targets complex learned behaviour learnt members school study concluded fish shoot accurately observing members school shooting banded able hit targets high degree accuracy despite light water air interface believed able achieve level accuracy positioning bodies shoot directly intended target later studies found banded able achieve great accuracy angles suggesting able compensate suggest banded capable dimensional tasks breeding breeding habits banded known banded begin breed centimetres long banded spawning reports banded reefs spawn confirmed lay eggs time banded rarely breed captivity distribution habitat banded inhabits waters northern australia frequently southern coast australia found india eastwards southwards australia waters solomon islands observed far east new known banded occurs mainly areas water primary habitat occasionally moves upstream freshwater rivers associated reefs reported occur near vegetation fresh salt water life cycle breed relationship humans banded fairly common currently endangered minor commercial role fisheries sold fresh markets collected trade banded threatened destruction swamp habitat pollution species genus including banded kept fish banded grow centimetres long swim level banded kept small groups fish size fish larger aggressive smaller try eat live years captivity occasionally banded need warm water usually large amounts plant growth plenty space swimming centimetres deep banded generally recommended average home despite attractive appearance difficult care require special conditions banded prefer shoot capture live food fed food difficult feed need water tall canopy wild able jump water capture prey branches tall canopy required prevent jumping banded kept volume gallons imp gal greater volume preferred difficulties caring banded species successful captivity
Banded archerfish