Aquarium of the Pacific | Online Learning Center | Banded Archerfish

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  • Aquarium of the Pacific
  • photo taken in Aquarium's Tropical Pacific Gallery

Facts and FeaturesFull Description >>

Geographic Distribution

Coastal areas of India, across Myanmar to Thailand, Indochina and Southern China, the Philippines, and southeast Asia to Australia

Amazing Facts

Sharp shooting archerfish were the inspiration for the name given the USS Archerfish, a submarine that served in the Pacific in World War II. From 1957 until her removal from service in 1968 she served mostly as a scientific research submarine. She received seven battle stars and one Presidential Unit Citation for her World War II service.

At the Aquarium

The mysid shrimp our archerfish are fed are not scattered in the water. The aquarists place them on the glass and walls of the exhibit so the fish can practice their shooting techniques. Once a week they get to practice on crickets, a favorite food in the wild.