| Family: |
Belonidae (Needlefishes) |
| Max. size: |
111 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,340.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range - 0 m, anadromous |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Maine, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Absent from the Bahamas and Antilles (Ref. 3129). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal soft rays: 16-20. Black pigment behind eye, not extending below level of middle of eye (Ref. 26938). |
| Biology: |
Adults inhabit coastal areas and mangrove-lined lagoons, and enter freshwater. They feed mainly on small fishes. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface (Ref. 205). Only the right gonad is developed (Ref. 26938). Marketed fresh. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 September 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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