TWO VERY UNUSUAL FISHES

"ARCHER FISH"

The first of two very unusual fishes discussed here is generally known as the "archer fish" or “spinner fish.” There are two genera and 10 species. They live in tropical fresh waters and “shoot down” insects via water squirts. These fish are usually 5 to 7 inches long but can reach 16 inches. 

They are found from India to northern Australia and live in freshwater streams or ponds, as well as in brackish and estuarine mangroves.

Incidentally, there was a World War 2 navy ship called the “Archerfish.”

   Classification

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Actinoterygii

Order Carangiformes

Family Toxotidae

Genus Labrus

Type species L. jaculator

Figure 1. Example of an archer fish (via a Wikipedia Common public domain image).

Figure 2. An archer fish “shooting down” an insect (a Wikipedia Commons public domain image).

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THE TWIG CATFISH

A second very unusual fish is the “whip” or “twig” catfish. It is aptly named because it is so narrow and thin. This fish is up to 6.3 inches long, olive-green to yellow brown and has a very distinct irregular dark band extending from its head to the end of its tail. Its fins are somewhat transparent. 

Figure 3. Lateral view of a "twig catfish." You have to look carefully to see its eye (on the far left side of this view).

The twig catfish fish lives in South America; namely, Columbia and Venezuela. It is a common aquarium fish, but is also vulnerable species (i.e., threatened). This fish feeds on plants and roots.

   Classification 

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Actinopterygii

Order Siluriformes

Family Loricariidae

Genus Farlowella

Type species: F. acus

Reference:

Wikipedia, 2026.