Home · Toxotidae · Kimberley archerfish
Kimberley archerfish (Toxotes kimberleyensis) — Toxotidae

Kimberley archerfish

Toxotes kimberleyensis
Family: Toxotidae

The Kimberley archerfish (Toxotes kimberleyensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Toxotidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

Want the complete picture on the Kimberley archerfish?

Get the app

Description

The Kimberley archerfish is an archerfish (Toxotidae) from fresh and brackish water of fresh water of the Kimberley region in northwestern Australia. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body with black spots or bars and an upturned mouth with large eyes. Characteristically it shoots a targeted jet of water to knock insects from overhanging twigs and leaves into the water. It also hunts insects and small invertebrates at the surface. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kimberley archerfish?

The Kimberley archerfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Kimberley archerfish live?

The Kimberley archerfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Kimberley archerfish get?

The Kimberley archerfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Kimberley archerfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Kimberley archerfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Kimberley archerfish (Toxotes kimberleyensis) — Toxotidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) cjwoods, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kimberley archerfish (Toxotes kimberleyensis) — Toxotidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Pål A. Olsvik, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kimberley archerfish (Toxotes kimberleyensis) — Toxotidae — 4
Rod Lowther (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Kimberley archerfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Kimberley archerfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Kimberley archerfish sourced
Scientific name
Toxotes kimberleyensis
Family
Toxotidae
Other names
Large scale archerfish; Western archer fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Toxotes

More from the family Toxotidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Kimberley archerfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Kimberley archerfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Kimberley archerfish? Get the app