Abstract
Four adult shooting archer fish (Toxotes jaculatrix) were studied in a captive situation. The accuracy with which they “shot” for prey and the sequences that they performed during shooting were analyzed. The animals were successful in shooting at suspended prey 25.50/0 of the time. Shooting was preceded by a series of six acts. The “typical” sequence, based on an analysis of transition probabilities was: Orient, Swim, Rotate Vertically, Shoot. Leaping out of the water and a second vertical rotation were observed also.
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We thank David Chiszar and Larry Dill for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. This paper is sponsored by Raymond C. Miles, who takes full editorial responsibility for its content.
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Bekoff, M., Dorr, R. Predation by “shooting” in archer fish, Toxotes jaculatrix: Accuracy and sequences. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 7, 167–168 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337154
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337154
Keywords
- Fresh Water Fish
- Rotate Vertically
- Bluegill Sunfish
- Aerial Shooting
- Museum Bulletin