Archerfish can shoot a jet of water to knock insects from overhanging vegetation. This remarkable hunting method lets them capture terrestrial insects above the water’s surface.
Archerfish aim by protruding their mouths and rapidly compressing their gill covers, forcing water through a narrow opening. They compensate for refraction at the water’s surface, which would otherwise make targets appear displaced.
Several species in the genus Toxotes are called archerfish. They are native to freshwater and brackish habitats in South and Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and nearby islands. Their ability is sometimes confused with the spitting behavior of other aquarium fish, but archerfish are especially known for accurately striking prey with water.