Banded Archerfish or Ikan Sumpit Caught at Woodland Jetty

Banded Archerfish also know as Poon Chwee Heur 喷水鱼 or Ikan Sumpit Caught at Woodland Jetty

Banded Archerfish [Toxotes Jaculatrix] also know as Poon Chwee Heur 喷水鱼 [Hokkien] or Ikan Sumpit [Malay] is one interesting fish to watch and catch. They are usually found in brackish waters and swampy areas, feeding on insects that fall off overhanging plants or canal walls. If they insects don't fall, archerfish can shoot a jet of water like a watergun on insects to make them fall, it's fun to watch. You can hover a insect or something that looks like a insect over water with a string attached and they'll fire away.

Insects are their natural food, so that makes the best bait to catch them. It doesn't really matter if the insect is still alive or not, archerfish easily recognize them and will take them readily. Make sure the bait does not sink underwater, the archerfish will not go after it. You can also twitch the line to mimic a live insect and to attract their attention. Big archerfishes are overly cautious and sharp though. Insect flies work wonders but first you have to catch them.

Banded Archerfish [Toxotes Jaculatrix] also know as Poon Chwee Heur 喷水鱼 [Hokkien] or Ikan Sumpit [Malay] are not commonly known to be caught for consumption. You can keep it as a pet, but otherwise do release it back if you have no use for it.