SPITTING FISH???

 ‘Archer Fish Spitting Water’ by Warren Photographic.

Yes!  There is an extraordinary spitting fish, another of God’s wonders!  You kids think you’ve ‘got one up’ on this fish with your Adventure Force Water Strike Storm Drencher, Nerf Super Soaker Hydro Frenzy or Xshot Typhoon water blasters.  This Archerfish can spit a precise blast of water that can knock an insect or even a lizard sitting on a branch off their perch and into the water from as far away as 7 feet.  Keep in mind that this fish is under water and has to compensate for refraction or the bending of light by the water.  In other words, that bug is not exactly where it appears to be.  Remarkably, they are able to calculate the bugs actual location, size and distance and even its adhesive force from its position under water and control the speed, angle, height and force of their water blast with pinpoint accuracy.          

Then blam!  The bug is dislodged from its perch by the fish’s water blaster and falls into the water.  (See photo above of spider about to be nailed!)             

And here’s another miracle!  It also has to calculate where the bug will fall into the water.  Don’t forget it has a bunch of friends lurking around who are also hungry.  According to biologists who have studied these amazing fish, they have about a tenth of a second to find their bug and have dinner.  To be successful, they have to mathematically assess the initial height and size of the bug, the direction and speed the dislodged bug will fall and its exact point of impact.       

How do they spit?  Apparently, they press their tongue against a groove formed in the bottom of their mouth creating the perfect gun barrel what biologists call a ‘blast pipe’ (just like your water blaster).  Then it snaps its gill slits shut and ‘spits’ a powerful and precise jet of water at their bug of choice.  Adult archerfish rarely miss.  If they do, they can spit up to seven blasts with one mouth full of water.  In fact, little junior fish have to practice to get it right.

You can find them in the mangrove tidal swamps of Southeast Asia.  Think you want to have some in your aquarium?  It would be fun, but definitely not a good idea, considering that the female lays 20 to 150,000 eggs at a time which float on the surface of the water in your aquarium and hatch 12 hours later!  You would have little archers everywhere!!             

Love this!  Psalm 78:1-4.  ‘My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 
I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— 
things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. 
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, AND THE WONDERS HE HAS DONE!  

Watch the archer fish in action!  Click on the following link: