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Elongate ponyfish (Equulites elongatus) — Leiognathidae

Elongate ponyfish

Equulites elongatus
Family: Leiognathidae

The Elongate ponyfish (Equulites elongatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Leiognathidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The slender ponyfish is a ponyfish (Leiognathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small, slender and silvery with a protrusible, pipette-like mouth. Luminous bacteria live in a light organ around the gullet, with which it can emit faint light. It lives near the bottom in shallow coastal waters and forms schools. It feeds on small zooplankton and small bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elongate ponyfish?

The Elongate ponyfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Protrusible, pipette-shaped mouth; light-producing bacteria around the oesophagus give off a weak light.

Where does the Elongate ponyfish live?

The Elongate ponyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters.

How big does the Elongate ponyfish get?

The Elongate ponyfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Elongate ponyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Elongate ponyfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Elongate ponyfish edible?

Yes, the Elongate ponyfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Elongate ponyfish (Equulites elongatus) — Leiognathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Andre Hosper, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Elongate ponyfish (Equulites elongatus) — Leiognathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Andre Hosper, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Elongate ponyfish verified
Scientific name
Equulites elongatus
Family
Leiognathidae
Other names
Elongate ponyfish; Elongate slimy; Slender ponyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; shallow coastal waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Protrusible, pipette-shaped mouth; light-producing bacteria around the oesophagus give off a weak light. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Equulites

More from the family Leiognathidae

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