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Ponyfish (Leiognathus brevirostris) — Leiognathidae

Ponyfish

Leiognathus brevirostris
Family: Leiognathidae

The Ponyfish (Leiognathus brevirostris) is a brackish-water fish of the family Leiognathidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18.2 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
1.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The shortnose ponyfish is a ponyfish (Leiognathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a deep, laterally compressed, shiny silvery body with a highly protrusible mouth and a short snout. Around the gullet it bears a light organ with luminous bacteria. It lives in shallow water to about forty metres, predominantly near the bottom, and forms schools. With its protrusible mouth it takes small bottom life and plankton. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ponyfish?

The Ponyfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Ponyfish live?

The Ponyfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Ponyfish get?

The Ponyfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Ponyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ponyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Ponyfish edible?

Yes, the Ponyfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortsnuit-ponyvis sourced
English name
Ponyfish verified
Scientific name
Leiognathus brevirostris
Family
Leiognathidae
Other names
Pugnose pony; Shortnose ponyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.2 verified
Average length (cm)
11.0 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Leiognathus

More from the family Leiognathidae

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