Archerfish illustration
Species

Archerfish

Toxotes chatareus
Also known as seven-spot archerfish · largescale archerfish
Tier 4Eating4/10ultralight tackleQLDWANT
19 waypoints15–25 cm (max 40 cm) typical

Overview: about archerfish

Tropical estuary and freshwater fish famous for spitting water at insects above the surface. Found across northern Australia in mangrove creeks, billabongs and brackish flats. Light tackle target on small surface lures, soft plastics and flies — fun rather than meaty.

Biology: Archerfish size, diet & habitat

Habitat
Estuary, Freshwater, River
Typical size
15–25 cm (max 40 cm)
Weight
0.2–0.5 kg (max 1.5 kg)
Depth range
0–3 m
Diet
insects, small fish, crustaceans
Most active
diurnal
Global range
Indo-Pacific mangroves and freshwater

How to target: Archerfish angling strategies

Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.

  • small surface poppers and gurglers under mangrove overhangs
  • tiny soft plastics fished alongside snags
  • fly with size 6-8 deer-hair poppers in shallow estuary edges

Safety & handling

In the same waters
  • saltwater crocodiles in NT and Cape York estuaries

Recent community catches: anglers who caught archerfish

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Where to catch: archerfish fishing spots in Australia

Northern Territory17
Queensland1
Western Australia1

More information: archerfish references & sources

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