Fin's Fish Guide
The Deep pugnose pony (Photopectoralis bindus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Leiognathidae that grows up to 11 cm.
Indo-West Pacific; muddy and sandy bottoms of coastal waters and estuaries.
Description
The orangefin ponyfish is a small silvery fish of the ponyfish family (Leiognathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a deep, strongly compressed, shining silver body with a highly protrusible mouth. It lives over mud and sand bottoms of shallow coastal waters and often enters estuaries, where it occurs in schools. As a bottom searcher it feeds on small zooplankton and small benthic invertebrates. Ponyfishes have a light organ around the gullet lit by symbiotic bacteria that casts a glow over the belly. The species is a common bycatch and food fish and is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Deep pugnose pony?
The Deep pugnose pony has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Highly protrusible mouth and a light organ around the oesophagus lit by bacteria.
Where does the Deep pugnose pony live?
The Deep pugnose pony lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; muddy and sandy bottoms of coastal waters and estuaries.
How big does the Deep pugnose pony get?
The Deep pugnose pony grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.
Is the Deep pugnose pony dangerous to humans?
No, the Deep pugnose pony is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Deep pugnose pony edible?
Yes, the Deep pugnose pony is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Photopectoralis
More from the family Leiognathidae
Want the complete picture on the Deep pugnose pony?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Deep pugnose pony is one of 12,519 species in the app.