Protoxotes lorentzi is a tropical freshwater fish found in streams and swamps of the Northern Territory of Australia and the island of New Guinea.

[7] P. lorentzi normally has five dorsal spines and is a silvery tan or brown colour, with a dark pectoral base.

[8] It was initially believed that P. lorentzi is the most "primitive" species of archerfish due to its lack of markings and straight dorsal line, a view that Weber endorsed;[2] Gilbert Whitley, who shared this view, reclassified T. lorentzi under the new monotypic genus Prototoxotes which he erected for it in 1950.

[9][10] Later authors initially disputed the assertion that T. lorentzi is more primitive and considered Protoxotes a synonym of Toxotes.

[7] Protoxotes lorentzi generally inhabits swamps and the edges of streams with vegetative cover.