Yellowspotted ponyfish

📖 Overview

Yellowspotted ponyfish (Nuchequula flavaxilla) is a ray-finned fish of the family Leiognathidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 10.9 cm. With a trophic level of 2.9, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: naked cheek and breast; fully scaled dorsolateral body surface; anteroventral profile of lower jaw somewhat strongly concave; upper oral valve with sparse minute, slender papillary projections; bicuspid preorbital spine, not expanded distally; second dorsal and anal fin spines elongated, almost reaching to the base of fifth dorsal fin soft ray and extending beyond the base of fifth anal fin soft ray when fins are appressed; a distinct yellow semicircular marking just behind pectoral fin base, larger than pupil and smaller than eye in size; usually almost straight dark vertical lines (not wavy) dorsolaterally on the body in preserved specimens . Similar to Nuchequula gerroides and N. longicornis in overall body appearance, naked cheek and breast, and scaled anterior dorsolateral surface of body; however, N. flavaxilla is different from the latter two species by the preorbital spine not expanded distally (vs. expanded distally in the latter two species) .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Yellowspotted ponyfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Tropical; 12°N - 10°N, 122°E - 123°E Central Pacific: Philippines.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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