Striped mudguard [1] ( lat. Toxotes jaculatrix ) is a species of ray-finned fish of the family of rattle ( Toxotidae ).
| Striped splatter |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetrical |
| Family: | Squirrel ( Toxotidae Cuvier, 1816 ) |
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| International scientific name |
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Toxotes jaculatrix Pallas , 1767 |
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A small fish 15–20 cm long, with a rather short, laterally compressed body, an elongated snout, the lower jaw of which protrudes slightly forward. A rather large scale covers, in addition to the body itself, also the caudal fin and the soft part of the dorsal. Body color greenish with 4-5 wide dark spots or stripes across the back. It lives in the Indian Ocean, from the East Indies to Australia. It keeps near the coast and hunts, releasing a stream of water from the mouth opening, in order to bring down insects sitting on branches not far from the water.
As an aquarium fish has become popular due to an unusual way of eating.