The Archerfish Shoots Down Its Prey With Water
by Owen Borville
June 27, 2020
Biology
The archerfish prefers to eat insects and animals outside of the water and is known for shooting down its prey with a squirt of water. They prey on land-based insects and other small animals by shooting them down with a squirt of water from their mouths. They sometimes catch small lizards.
The archerfish can be found in freshwater or brackish water, or salty mangrove swamps in southeast Asia and northern Australia, along with Melanesia. Ten classified species have been identified.
The archerfish can grow up to 12 inches in length and has an elongated body that is laterally compressed.
The archerfish is surprisingly accurate in its capture of prey, hitting the target usually on the first try. They can capture insects and other prey up to 10 feet above the water surface. Their accuracy is aided by their good eyesight.
The archerfish shoots its prey by forming a small groove in the roof of its mouth and its tongue into a narrow channel. It then fires by contracting its gill covers and forcing water through the channel, shooting a stream that, shaped by its mouth parts, travels faster at the rear than at the front. This speed differential causes the stream to become a blob directly before impact as the slower leading water is overtaken by the faster trailing water, and it is varied by the fish to account for differences in range and size of the prey. This effect causes enough force to knock the insect down.
The archerfish also has the ability to compensate for the refraction of light as it passes through the air-water interface and therefore can make accurate aims at its prey. The archerfish's eyes are underwater and must account for refraction of light to make an accurate aim.
The unique abilities of the archerfish are difficult for evolutionists to explain other than that these natural abilities are part of the unique design of this creature.
The archerfish will also leap out of the water to grab an insect with its mouth if it is within reach.
Research has indicated that the archerfish also uses squirts or jets of water to target prey underwater.
by Owen Borville
June 27, 2020
Biology
The archerfish prefers to eat insects and animals outside of the water and is known for shooting down its prey with a squirt of water. They prey on land-based insects and other small animals by shooting them down with a squirt of water from their mouths. They sometimes catch small lizards.
The archerfish can be found in freshwater or brackish water, or salty mangrove swamps in southeast Asia and northern Australia, along with Melanesia. Ten classified species have been identified.
The archerfish can grow up to 12 inches in length and has an elongated body that is laterally compressed.
The archerfish is surprisingly accurate in its capture of prey, hitting the target usually on the first try. They can capture insects and other prey up to 10 feet above the water surface. Their accuracy is aided by their good eyesight.
The archerfish shoots its prey by forming a small groove in the roof of its mouth and its tongue into a narrow channel. It then fires by contracting its gill covers and forcing water through the channel, shooting a stream that, shaped by its mouth parts, travels faster at the rear than at the front. This speed differential causes the stream to become a blob directly before impact as the slower leading water is overtaken by the faster trailing water, and it is varied by the fish to account for differences in range and size of the prey. This effect causes enough force to knock the insect down.
The archerfish also has the ability to compensate for the refraction of light as it passes through the air-water interface and therefore can make accurate aims at its prey. The archerfish's eyes are underwater and must account for refraction of light to make an accurate aim.
The unique abilities of the archerfish are difficult for evolutionists to explain other than that these natural abilities are part of the unique design of this creature.
The archerfish will also leap out of the water to grab an insect with its mouth if it is within reach.
Research has indicated that the archerfish also uses squirts or jets of water to target prey underwater.
