Family: |
Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths, or ponyfishes), subfamily: Leiognathinae |
Max. size: |
18.2 cm FL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 40 m, amphidromous |
Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: coasts of India and Sri Lanka to China; south to Australia. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-14. Body silvery; live or fresh specimens with a golden gleam. Head naked; with nuchal spine. Protracted mouth pointing downward. Scales minute. 2nd dorsal spine less than 1/3 of body depth. |
Biology: |
Lives in shallow waters down to depths of about 40 m, predominantly near the bottom, found in schools. Feeds mainly on diatoms, copepods, Lucifer, nematodes and polychaetes (Ref. 3424). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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