Clouded Archerfish (1.75-2”)

Scientific Name

Toxotes blythii

Maximum Size and Lifespan

The Clouded Archerfish can grow up to 10-12"+ in length, making it one of the larger species of archerfish. In captivity, with proper care, it can live 10–15 years.

Recommended Aquarium Size, Water Changes, and Care

• Tank Size: A minimum of (75+ gallons) is recommended for a juvenile group, but adults require 125+ gallons or more due to their size and activity level.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 25–30°C (77–86°F)

  • pH: 7.0–8.0
    

• Filtration: Strong filtration and good oxygenation are essential, as they produce a heavy bioload.

• Water Changes: Perform 30-50% weekly water changes to maintain water quality.

• Aquascaping: Leave open swimming space, provide branches, driftwood, and floating plants that mimic their natural habitat and give cover.

Tankmates

• Best kept with medium sized semi aggresive fish, Monos, Severum, Geophagus, Acara, Angelfish, Polypterus, silver dollars and barbs, etc.

• Avoid small fish—they will be eaten.

• Avoid aggressive or overly territorial tankmates, as Clouded Archerfish prefer mid-to-surface swimming.

Diet

Clouded Archerfish are carnivorous with a strong hunting instinct. They are famous for spitting jets of water to knock insects into the water.

• Diet in captivity:

  • Frozen foods like shrimp, bloodworms, and krill

  • High-quality floating carnivore pellets 

  • Insects (crickets, flies, cockroaches, mealworms). This is not required but spectacular to watch them hunt
    

  • Feed 1-2 times daily

   

Overview

The Clouded Archerfish is a striking, large, and highly intelligent fish admired for its unique and accurate hunting technique of spitting water. However, its large size and specialized care requirements make it best suited for experienced aquarists with large aquariums. They thrive in freshwater setups with plenty of surface area, open swimming space, and insects to hunt.

Natural Environment

In the wild, Toxotes blythii inhabits slow-moving rivers, estuaries, and mangrove swamps across Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, Borneo, and Sumatra. They typically dwell in freshwater environments compared to the banded archers, living in areas with overhanging vegetation where insects are abundant.

Breeding

Breeding Clouded Archerfish in captivity is extremely rare and not well-documented. In nature:

• They are believed to migrate downstream to spawn in brackish or marine waters.

• The species is egg-scattering with no parental care.

• Fry likely develop in more saline waters before moving back into brackish/freshwater habitats.
  Captive breeding success has not been reliably achieved, so most specimens in the trade are wild-caught.