Ecology of Tylosurus crocodilus
 
Main Ref. Blaber, S.J.M., 1980
Remarks A pelagic species (Refs. 26340, 9773) found over lagoon and seaward reefs. Solitary or in small groups (Ref. 11889). Present in seagrass beds at adult stage (Ref. 41878). Feeds on fishes (Refs. 11889, 9773). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface (Ref. 205). Feared by fishers because they can cause puncture wounds with their sharp snouts when jumping out of the water, e.g. when alarmed or attracted to lights at night. Carnivorous (Refs. 9137, 9773). Caught by casting or trolling surface or near-surface lures; also with purse seines and drift nets. Marketed mostly fresh (Ref. 9682). Inhabits coastal waters (Ref. 9773).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Tylosurus crocodilus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Pelagic; Soft Bottom
Substrate Ref. Al-Abdessalaam, T.Z.S., 1995
Special habitats Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref. Gell, F.R. and M.W. Whittington, 2002

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 4.43 0.43 4.31 0.70 Troph of juv./adults from 3 studies.
From individual food items 4.33 0.74 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Sierra, L.M., R. Claro and O.A. Popova, 1994
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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