Spotted archer fish

Toxotes chatareus are of moderate size, usually between 15 and 20 centimetres (5.9 and 7.9 in). Rarely, they may reach up to 40 centimetres (16 in) in length. T. chatareus weigh up to 700 grams (25 oz). T. chatareus are believed to have a lifespan of three to five years. T. chatareus have five or six dorsal spines, the fourth of which is the longest, and twelve or thirteen dorsal soft rays. The dorsal spines are generally shorter in specimens collected from freshwater than those from brackish water. T. chatareus also have three anal spines and fifteen to seventeen anal soft rays. T. chatareus have 33 or 34 lateral line scales. The caudal (tail) fin in almost square. The anal fin is undivided and the third anal spine is longest. Overall, the body is sooty but sometimes silvery or gold. The dorsal side is "greenish brown". The pectoral fins are clear or "dusky" in colour. Pelvic fins may be darker and heavily pigmented. T. chatareus are white and usually has six or seven dark blotches, alternating long and short, along the dorsal side. A dark blotch is also found at the base of the caudal fin. The colour of these blotches may become darker or lighter due to time of day, environment, and stress. The blotches of young fish are darker than those of older fish. Startled or stressed fish are darker than unstressed fish; fish found in cloudy water may be completely white. It is unknown whether sexual dimorphism occurs.