The Marksman Fish That Hunts Insects

The archerfish can knock insects out of the air by spitting high-speed jets of water at them. This aquatic sniper acts with incredible precision, often hitting targets several feet above the surface.

This fish has a specialized groove in its mouth that allows it to compress water into a powerful, focused bullet. By adjusting its tongue to act like a valve, it can control the force of the jet to suit the distance of its prey. Remarkably, these fish even account for the way light bends as it enters the water to accurately strike their mark. It is a true display of physics-defying instinct that makes them some of the most skilled hunters in the mangrove forests.