| Family: |
Belonidae (Needlefishes) |
| Max. size: |
75 cm OT (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range - 0 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: endemic to Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal soft rays: 18-23. Body and caudal peduncle are sub-cylindrical and covered with minute, somewhat deciduous scales; lateral-line low on the body; both jaws greatly produced with an inner row of short strong teeth, reduced in the outer row; dorsal and anal fins posterior on body with dorsal origin slightly anterior to anal fin origin, and both fins are elevated anteriorly; ventral fins abdominal, placed posteriorly, with distance from anal fin less than the fin base length; truncated caudal fin, with center slightly emarginated in adults; silvery on the sides and greenish above; in adults, with snout and fins dusky (Ref. 9002). |
| Biology: |
Coastal species (Ref. 9682). Inhabit coral reefs (Ref. 75154) and estuaries (Ref. 9002). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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