Toxotes kimberleyensis
Species Summary
Described in 2004 from 22 specimens 52.5–126.3 mm SL, Toxotes kimberleyensis was previously misidentified as the poorly known Indonesian species Toxotes oligolepis; re-examination of the actual oligolepis type specimen turned up significant differences in dorsal-spine length and lateral-line scale count between the two.
Distribution & Habitat
Known only from a relatively small area of the western Kimberley district of Western Australia, including the Fitzroy, Meda, May and Isdell Rivers, and especially common in the Fitzroy system though relatively scarce elsewhere. Unlike the Seven-spot Archerfish (Toxotes chatareus) and the Banded Archerfish (T. jaculatrix), both found in coastal, often brackish or even marine parts of the Kimberley, Toxotes kimberleyensis is strictly confined to freshwater, penetrating well inland — at least as far as Geikie Gorge National Park in the Fitzroy system, roughly 300 km upstream from the sea. It shows an affinity for deeper pools, swimming near the surface and patrolling the shoreline for insects.
Remarks
The family Toxotidae contains a single genus, Toxotes, ranging from India to Vanuatu and northern Australia to the Philippines, with six currently recognised species: T. blythii, T. chatareus, T. jaculatrix, T. lorentzi, T. microlepis and T. oligolepis, alongside Toxotes kimberleyensis described more recently still.
Compiled for Home of the Rainbowfish from ANGFA sources: “Toxotes kimberleyensis of Kimberley Region of North-western Australia”, In-Stream 14(1), February 2005, p. 3.
References
- Allen G.R. (2004) Toxotes kimberleyensis, a new species of archerfish (Pisces: Toxotidae) from fresh waters of Western Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 56: 225-230.