Toxotes microlepis (lat.) Is a species of ray-finned fish of the family of scribunidae (Toxotidae). These are the smallest of the splashing fish [1] . They reach a maximum length of 15 cm [2] . Toxotes microlepis live in the tropical Indo-Pacific region and are potamodromes , migrating only in fresh water [2] .
| Toxotes microlepis |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetrical |
| Family: | Squirrel ( Toxotidae Cuvier, 1816 ) |
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Toxotes microlepis ( Günther , 1860) |
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Toxotes microlepis has a pointed snout and large eyes. The back is relatively flat and the stomach is arched. They have one dorsal fin with four or five hard rays [2] . The lateral line usually consists of 40 to 42 flakes, although some samples found in the Mekong had from 34 to 37 flakes in the lateral line [3] . Previously, the species Toxotes blythii was considered identical to Toxotes microlepis . Differences in structure and color led to the isolation of a new species, Toxotes blythii [4] .
Like other mudguards, on their sides they have dark wedge-shaped stripes or spots [4] , which can be yellow or silver [2] . They reach a maximum length of 15 centimeters in the wild and 12 centimeters in captivity [1] . They are sometimes confused with a striped splatter ( Toxotes jaculatrix ) [1] . Both species have four or five wedge-shaped hard rays in the dorsal fins. However, the strips of the striped splatter extend to the dorsal fin, while the Toxotes microlepis does not; they stop below the dorsal fin, with another dark spot on the fin itself [1] . Toxotes microlepis also has a shorter muzzle than other sprinklers [5] .
Toxotes microlepis feed on terrestrial insects (which they can shoot down with a trickle of water), zooplankton, crustaceans and insect larvae [2] [3] .
Toxotes microlepis live in large rivers and estuaries in Asia and the Indian Pacific. They are distributed in the Mekong and Chauphrai river basins, as well as in the waters of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo [2] . They are found offshore in flowing and still waters, usually under overhanging plants. Toxotes microlepis is described as a “freshwater spatter,” since it does not move into salt water throughout its life, like some other sprinklers [1] . It is more often found far from the mouth of rivers than other species of the genus [3] .
Some aquarists believe that Toxotes microlepis is the most commonly sold type of sprinkler [1] . It is often confused with other sprays (such as the striped spatter and the spotted spatter ( Toxotes chatareus )), and can be sold with them as one species. Toxotes microlepis do not need brackish water, like other sprayers (although it can live in brackish water) [6] ; therefore, it is sometimes sold as a “freshwater spatter” [1] .
