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🌊 Marine Data Deficient 🌡️ Subtropical

Pencil snakelet

Natalichthys leptus Winterbottom, 1980
Max Length
7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.4
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
13.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Pencil snakelet (Natalichthys leptus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Pseudochromidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 7 cm. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Natalichthys leptus
Authority
Winterbottom, 1980
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
IUCN Status
DD
Max Length
7 cm
Trophic Level
3.4
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
13.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 48; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 39. Gill membranes united, free from isthmus. Lateral line short. Scaled cheeks.: eel-like; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pencil snakelet is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Pencil snakelet is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Pencil snakelet is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal. Subtropical South Africa (30°04.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.4±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00102 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
7cm
Dorsal Spines
1
Dorsal Rays
48
Anal Rays
39

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Data Deficient
Assessment Date
2017

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
13.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.4
Predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Winterbottom, 1980

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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