| Family: |
Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths, or ponyfishes), subfamily: Leiognathinae |
| Max. size: |
21 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 20 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and Fiji, north to Japan, south to northeastern Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-14. Deep bodied and vertical dark bars on upper sides. Long filament on dorsal spine (Ref. 48635). Silvery body. Naked head; with nuchal spine. Protracted mouth pointing downward. Thin scales on breast. 2nd dorsal spine elongated. |
| Biology: |
Found in coastal waters. May also enter semi-enclosed sea areas and estuaries (Ref. 11230). Euryhaline (Ref. 12743). Forms schools (Ref. 30573). Feeds on polychaetes, small crustaceans, and small fish (Ref. 5213). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 July 2016 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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