| Family: |
Belonidae (Needlefishes) |
| Max. size: |
100 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 1 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa (Ref. 3130) to the central and south Pacific. Eastern Central Pacific: oceanic islands such as the Revillagigedo, Clipperton and Cocos (Ref. 9279). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-27; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-24; Vertebrae: 90-95. Anterior part of dorsal fin with a low lobe, contained 10.5-13.3 times in body length; a distinct black lateral keel on caudal peduncle; caudal fin deeply forked. Juveniles have an elevated black lobe in the posterior part of the dorsal fin (Ref. 9682). Longer jaws with more numerous teeth and narrower caudal lobes than T. crocodilus (Ref. 37816). |
| Biology: |
Found in offshore and coastal waters. Feeds mainly on small fishes. Marketed mostly fresh. The flesh is of good quality (Ref. 9682). 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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