Spottail needlefish
📖 Overview
Found in coastal areas and mangrove-lined lagoons, also enters freshwater. Carnivorous. Feeds mainly on small fishes, especially clupeoids. Occurs at temperatures ranging from 26 to 29°C . Oviparous . Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface . Sold fresh in markets.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 18; Vertebrae: 59 - 65. Round in cross section. Dorsal fin rays 12-15; anal fin rays 15-18. Caudal peduncle without lateral keels. Caudal fin rounded or truncate. Predorsal scales few and relatively large, 100-130. Caudal fin light with a prominent round black spot near its base. Dorsal fin lobe and distal margin of caudal fin yellow in live adults, anterior margin of anal fin orange.: elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spottail needlefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Spottail needlefish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Spottail needlefish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range 5 - 25 m . Tropical; 30°N - 27°S West Pacific: Persian Gulf eastward along the coasts of Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, then extending to southern China, the Philippines, and northern Australia.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes, especially clupeoids
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Spottail needlefish 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 Spottail needlefish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Spottail needlefish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | blackspot longtom |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kokutendatsu · コクテンダツ |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belone caudimacula | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Belone oculata | Leschenault | 1846 | Synonym |
| Belone saigonensis | Sauvage | 1879 | Synonym |
| Belone strongylura | van Hasselt | 1823 | Synonym |
| Strongylura caudimaculata | van Hasselt | 1824 | Synonym |
| Strongylurus strongylura | van Hasselt | 1823 | Synonym |
| Tylosurus strongylorus | van Hasselt | 1823 | Synonym |
| Tylosurus strongylurus | van Hasselt | 1823 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 26 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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