Archerfish: The Fish That Shoots Down Its Food
The archerfish hunts like a sniper. It waits just under the surface, spots an insect on a leaf above, and shoots it down with a jet of water. The prey drops into the water, and the archerfish is there to grab it.
Quick Facts
- Family: Archerfish (Toxotidae)
- Weapon: A jet of water spat from its mouth
- How: Tongue pressed against a groove in the roof of the mouth
- Accuracy: Adults almost always hit on the first shot
- Backup move: Leaping out of the water to grab prey
How Does an Archerfish Shoot Water?
The archerfish presses its tongue against a groove in the roof of its mouth to form a narrow channel. Then it snaps its gill covers shut, forcing a jet of water out. A study in PLOS ONE found the pulsed jet becomes unstable in flight in a way that helps it hit the target with more force.
Aiming Through Water
Light bends as it passes from air into water, so an insect above the surface isn't where it appears to be. Archerfish compensate for this refraction when they aim, and research shows they can adjust their shooting as conditions change.
Almost Never Misses
Adult archerfish are remarkably accurate and almost always hit the target on the first shot. They typically shoot at a steep angle, but can still aim accurately across a wide range of angles.
Plan B: Jump
If an insect is close enough, an archerfish will often leap out of the water and grab it in its mouth instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an archerfish spit water?
It forms a channel with its tongue and the roof of its mouth, then snaps its gill covers shut to fire a jet of water.
How accurate are archerfish?
Adult archerfish almost always hit their target on the first shot.
How do archerfish deal with refraction?
They compensate for the way light bends at the water's surface, so they aim at where the insect really is.
Related Stories
For Ocean Lovers
Read
Dream about where the fish live: 100 Dives of a Lifetime from National Geographic (4.8 stars). See it on Amazon
Amazon affiliate link: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Wear & display
Find animal art, shirts and mugs in our Etsy shop.
Shop
Browse all our animals and accessories at the From Paw to Tail store.
Get one true animal story in your inbox each week. Sign up at the bottom of this page.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Archerfish: the tongue groove, angles, accuracy and leaping
- PLOS ONE: How Archer Fish Achieve a Powerful Impact: Hydrodynamic Instability of a Pulsed Jet in Toxotes jaculatrix (PMC): the jet
- The Archerfish Uses Motor Adaptation in Shooting to Correct for Changing Physical Conditions (PMC): refraction and aiming
- Wikipedia: Banded Archerfish: the species in our cover photo
More true animal stories: From Paw to Tail Blog
Cover photo: Amada44 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.