Agujon needlefish
📖 Overview
Inhabits oceanic and neritic waters . Feeds on small fishes. Oviparous . Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface . Although sold fresh and salted, its market is limited due to the green-colored flesh . Circumglobal in tropical seas and divisible into four subspecies (Ref 90102).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 27; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 20 - 24; Vertebrae: 90 - 95. Diagnosis: body elongate; upper and lower jaws extremely long, forming a stout beak armed with very sharp teeth; gill rakers absent . Nostrils in depression before eyes (nasal pit); pelvic fins abdominal; 20-26 dorsal-fin rays; anal fin short, 9.7-11.7 times in body length; small, black lateral keel on either sides of caudal peduncle; caudal fin deeply forked . : elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Agujon needlefish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Agujon needlefish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - ? m. Subtropical; 43°N - , 98°W - 36°E
🌿 Ecology
small fishes
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Agujon 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 160 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Agujon needlefish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | agujon · agujon needlefish · Agujón needlefish, Atlantic agujón · Atlantic agujon · Black-finned Long-tom · houndfish · Keel-jawed Long Tom · Keel-jawed Long-tom · Keel-jawed needlefish · Keeljaw Longtom · keeljawed longtom |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Raffeeda |
| 🌍CES | jehlice jehlovitá |
| 🌍ELL | Vasilozageta · Βασιλοζαργάνα |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | sininokkakala |
| 🇫🇷French | Aiguille voyeuse · Aiguille voyeuse, Grande orphie · Grande orphie · Orphie |
| 🌍HEB | חניתן דק |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Aguglia Imperiale |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | agulhão · agulhão-branco · agulhão-lambaio · peixe-agulha · Peixe-agulha-pelágico |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Узкорылый тилозур |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Aguja Imperial · agujón · agujón del Atlántico |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 黑背叉尾鶴鱵 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tylosaurus arcus | - | - | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 35 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Agujon needlefish ↗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.