Teleostei (teleosts) >
Beloniformes (Needle fishes) >
Belonidae (Needlefishes)
Etymology: Strongylura: Greek, strongylos = round + Greek, oura = tail (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; pelagic; depth range 0 - ? m. Tropical; 4°S - 24°S
Asia and Oceania: New Guinea and Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 85.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Inhabits still or flowing rivers, from tidal reaches to far inland. Also found in some impoundments (Lake Argyle,WA). Often shelters among overhanging vegetation or submerged roots. Adults are infrequently found in coastal marine waters (Ref. 44894). Occurs in larger streams. Surface-dwelling predator of small fishes, insects (Ref. 205, 44894) and crustaceans (Ref. 44894). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Spawning is believed to occur sometimes between September and December. The presence of juveniles well inland and in impoundments suggests that it may spawn in freshwater (Ref. 44894). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Breeding occurs in shallow seas, estuaries, freshwater rivers, lakes or ponds (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., 1989. Freshwater fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. (Ref. 5259)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5001 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01000 (0.00244 - 0.04107), b=3.04 (2.81 - 3.27), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.6 ±0.55 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): High vulnerability (62 of 100).