Pugnose ponyfish
📖 Overview
Schooling species found in shallow waters, usually near the bottom . Occasionally enters brackish waters . Swims in loose groups . Feeds on zooplankton including copepods, mysids, and larval fishes and crustaceans . Sold fresh and dried salted; also used for fishmeal.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14. Body silvery. Naked head; with nuchal spine. Mouth strongly oblique; nostrils situated above eyes . Protracted mouth pointing upward; Tip of maxilla reaching well below level of lower margin of eye. Body depth twice or slightly more than standard length. Lateral line ending before dorsal fin.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pugnose ponyfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; amphidromous ; depth range 10 - 150 m . Tropical; 26°C - 29°C ; 30°N - 33°S, 28°E - 151°W West Pacific: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and East Africa to Australia, New Caledonia and Society Islands.
🌿 Ecology
zooplankton including copepods, mysids, and larval fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Deveximentum Insidiator is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Pugnose ponyfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pugnose ponyfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Pugnose ponyfish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.