Archer Fish

[Shovelman]

Hey there again folks! Was looking on Craigslist and found a very nice 55 gallon tank with canister filter, stand, lights, and all for only 60$ .. no cracks leaks or anything (or nothing i have seen yet )... anyways this past week i have really been reading up on my archer fish info, as im curious as to housing a couple in this possibly soon to be acquired 55 gallon tank. However i ran into some confusion and questions as Ive been reading (more so species related). So here we go!

1. I've read 55 gallons is the minimum tank size... but for which species? From what Ive been reading, fish stores generally get in 3 types of archer fish. Two of which being true brackish and the third being somewhat lighter on the salt...?

2. Which species am i looking at considering the tank size? I will most likely be lowering the water a tad so i may have some UN-submerged wood or plants for cricket target practice or high jump Olympics (wire top most likely to prevent overboard casualties). I've also read that some of these commonly found species can get up to a foot (1') in length, which common sense can tell anyone that a 1' fish wont be happy in a 18" wide tank with barely any room... so which species is the smaller 5-6" Ive read about?

3. Do all archer fish species display their unique food/feeding technique? Does one, say, jump more so than utilizing their supersoakers?

4. We go on quite frequent vacations at times and am wondering if a 1 week (sometimes 2 at max {long for any fish species to go without food, yes i know}) famine would cause harm in there carnivorous beauties? Since they mainly eat live/ frozen food, I wouldn't think that an automatic feeder would be appropriate or practical. PS: no one is allowed to come into the house during our vacations...parents rules not mine (their house, their rules!)...

Look forward to any info you can rub off! Hopefully going to get at least the tank going soon... still need to buy it haha... thanks again

 

[jonny5]

ya a 55 for one archer is pushing it. I have some in a 75g and i really need to upgrade to around 150gallons or so for them.
All species display the shooting behavior, some individuals will do it more than others but they will jump for closer food and shoot for ones just out of reach.
You will find only the brackish species in stores unless you are very lucky.
A week is ok for fish if they are well feed in general, two weeks is pushing it, and maybe is too long.

 

[Shovelman]

ya a 55 for one archer is pushing it. I have some in a 75g and i really need to upgrade to around 150gallons or so for them.
All species display the shooting behavior, some individuals will do it more than others but they will jump for closer food and shoot for ones just out of reach.
You will find only the brackish species in stores unless you are very lucky.
A week is ok for fish if they are well feed in general, two weeks is pushing it, and maybe is too long.

Thanks! As far as pushing it in the 55 gallon, id think a small cluster or even 2 of the 5" archers would be fine don't you?

 

[Shovelman]

Talked to Neale and appeaently a group of 5 Toxotes microlepis would work well.

 

[jonny5]

Talked to Neale and appeaently a group of 5 Toxotes microlepis would work well.

while 5 toxotes microlepis would squeeze into a 55, your chances of finding them are very small. If you get 5 toxotes jaculatrix or chaet, you will need around 150 gallon. But if you can find find toxotes microlepis, go for it.

 

[iliveinazoo]

ya a 55 for one archer is pushing it. I have some in a 75g and i really need to upgrade to around 150gallons or so for them.
All species display the shooting behavior, some individuals will do it more than others but they will jump for closer food and shoot for ones just out of reach.
You will find only the brackish species in stores unless you are very lucky.
A week is ok for fish if they are well feed in general, two weeks is pushing it, and maybe is too long.

Thanks! As far as pushing it in the 55 gallon, id think a small cluster or even 2 of the 5" archers would be fine don't you?

Don't buy 2 because the dominant one will constantly harass the other. Go for a singleton or as large a shoal as can be housed appropriately. Five may work together if added all at the same time but I had four and the 3 less dominant were never given a moments peace.

 

[Shovelman]

ya a 55 for one archer is pushing it. I have some in a 75g and i really need to upgrade to around 150gallons or so for them.
All species display the shooting behavior, some individuals will do it more than others but they will jump for closer food and shoot for ones just out of reach.
You will find only the brackish species in stores unless you are very lucky.
A week is ok for fish if they are well feed in general, two weeks is pushing it, and maybe is too long.

Thanks! As far as pushing it in the 55 gallon, id think a small cluster or even 2 of the 5" archers would be fine don't you?

Don't buy 2 because the dominant one will constantly harass the other. Go for a singleton or as large a shoal as can be housed appropriately. Five may work together if added all at the same time but I had four and the 3 less dominant were never given a moments peace.

lol meant to say 5 of the 5" fish.... ok by the way, my parents have allowed me to get a 75 gallon instead of a 55 gallon!