Smallscale archerfish

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The smallscale archerfish (Toxotes microlepis) is a small fish in the archerfish family. It has tiny scales, grows up to about 15 cm (5.9 in), and lives in tropical rivers and estuaries of the Indo-Pacific. It can move between fresh water and brackish water during its life.

Description and identification
- It has a pointed snout, large eyes, a flat back, and a curved belly.
- There is one dorsal fin with four to five spines; the fourth spine is longer than the third.
- Most fish have 40–42 scales along the side, though Mekong individuals can have 34–37.
- Color patterns include dark wedge-shaped bands or spots on the flanks, which can be yellow to silvery.
- It is sometimes confused with the banded archerfish, but smallscale archerfish bars stop below the dorsal fin and there is a dark spot on the fin itself. The smallscale also has a shorter snout than some other archerfish.

Size
- Maximum length in the wild is about 15 cm (5.9 in); in captivity it’s usually a bit smaller, around 12 cm (4.7 in).

Habitat and range
- Found in large rivers and estuaries in Asia and the Indo-Pacific, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins, and waters off the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo.
- They prefer areas near moving or standing water with overhanging plants and are often found upstream from the estuary.
- Although often called a freshwater archerfish, it can tolerate brackish water; it does not always move into saltwater like some other archerfish.

Taxonomy notes
- There has been some debate about this species. Some related fish that were once grouped with it have been described as new species in Southeast Asia. Some studies also suggest that Toxotes microlepis might be a synonym of Toxotes blythii, reflecting ongoing scientific discussion.

Diet and behavior
- Smallscale archerfish eat terrestrial insects (which they shoot down), zooplankton, crustaceans, and insect larvae.

Aquarium trade
- They are commonly traded and can be sold with other archerfish as if they were a single species.
- They do not require brackish water, though they can live in it, and are sometimes labeled as freshwater archerfish.

Local names
- In Thailand, they are known as Pla Suea Pon Nam Nakhon Sawan or Pla Suea Pon Nam Leung, due to wild-caught fish from Bueng Boraphet and their bright color.

Conservation status
- The smallscale archerfish is listed as Least Concern.