The Top Banded Archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) is a distinctive brackish-water fish known for its remarkable ability to shoot jets of water to knock insects from overhanging vegetation into the water for food. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, this species is primarily found in mangrove estuaries, rivers, and coastal waters from India and Southeast Asia to northern Australia. While not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries, the Top Banded Archerfish is harvested in smaller quantities, mainly for the ornamental aquarium trade rather than for food. The principal countries involved in the collection and export of this species are Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and India, where local fishers capture them from the wild to supply international markets. Sustainable management is essential, as overharvesting for the aquarium trade can impact wild populations, especially in regions where mangrove habitats are under threat.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.