Toothpony
📖 Overview
Found in shallow inshore coastal waters over silty bottoms . Young enters mangrove estuaries or silty reef areas . Searches for prey using a protruding pipette-like mouth or by sieving potential food through their gill rakers . Feeds on small fishes, shrimps, other crustaceans, and polychaetes. Sold fresh and dried salted; also made into fishmeal.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 13 - 14. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Toothpony is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Toothpony is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Toothpony is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 110 m . Tropical; 26°C - 29°C; 35°N - 36°S, 19°E - 137°W east African coast (30° to about 50°S) to Australia and Tahiti, north to the Ryukyu Islands (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes, shrimps, other crustaceans, and polychaetes
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Toothpony 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
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 339 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Toothpony has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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