Flat needlefish
📖 Overview
Inhabits neritic and oceanic waters but more often found near islands . Found in estuaries , and coastal rivers . Sometimes forming large schools . Feeds mainly on small fishes . Oviparous . Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by filaments on the egg's surface . Since the jaws are frequently broken, the maximum length is given as body length excluding head and caudal fin. Usually caught with the help of artificial lights . Marketed fresh and salted; smoked or frozen . Market limited due to the green-colored flesh . In females, only left gonad is developed, and in males the right gonad is small or absent .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 26; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 24 - 28; Vertebrae: 86 - 93. Dark bluish dorsally, silvery white ventrally with black blotches on middle of body . Body greatly compressed laterally; anterior parts of dorsal and anal fins with high falcate lobes. Pectoral fins falcate; about 12-14 prominent dark vertical bars on body; juveniles and adults have an elevated black lobe in the posterior part of the dorsal fin.: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Flat needlefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Flat needlefish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Flat needlefish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 3 m . Subtropical; 43°N - 37°S, 180°W - 180°E south to Namibia (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ablenes hians | Valenciennes | 1846 | Synonym |
| Ablennes hians pacificus | Walford | 1936 | Synonym |
| Ablennes pacificus | Walford | 1936 | Synonym |
| Athlennes hians | Valenciennes | 1846 | Synonym |
| Belone hians | Valenciennes | 1846 | Synonym |
| Belone maculata | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Belone melanostigma | Valenciennes | 1846 | Synonym |
| Belone schismatorhynchus | Bleeker | 1850 | Synonym |
| Blennes hians | Valenciennes | 1846 | Synonym |
| Mastaccembelus melanostigma | Valenciennes | 1846 | Synonym |
| Mastacembelus fasciatus | Bleeker | 1872 | Synonym |
| Tylosurus caeruleofasciatus | Stead | 1908 | Synonym |
| Tylosurus hians | Valenciennes | 1846 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 41 records indexed .
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