Common Name:  Archerfish, Riflefish

Local Name:  Kataba (Tagalog);  Ataba, Bang-ga (Cebuano)

Max Size:  30 cm

Biodiversity: Marine, Brackish, Freshwater

Depth:  0 – ?? m

Fishing Season:  All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit:   none

Recommended Bait:  Insects, Poppers, small lures, flies

IUCN Red List Status:  Least Concern (LC)

Archerfish are native to the fresh, brackish and saltwaters of the Philippines.  They are most well known for their ability to shoot insects from branches into the water where they can eat them.  They are most commonly found in estuaries around mangrove forests however they can also be found far up freshwater rivers and also in the sea.  Taal Lake in Laguna which a freshwater lake is full of these fish.

Anglers can catch these fish on lures and they are said to readily take small poppers.  They are also a great fish to target with fly rods.

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Aeds Archerfish caught on a lure