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Offshore ponyfish (Equulites rivulatus) — Leiognathidae

Offshore ponyfish

Equulites rivulatus
Family: Leiognathidae

The Offshore ponyfish (Equulites rivulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Leiognathidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; shallow coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The ornate ponyfish is a ponyfish (Leiognathidae) from the western Pacific. The species is small, silvery and strongly compressed with fine wavy lines on the upper back and a protrusible, pipette-like mouth with which it sucks up prey. Luminous bacteria live in a light organ around the gullet. 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 Offshore ponyfish?

The Offshore ponyfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Fine wavy lines on the upper back and a protrusible pipette mouth; light-producing bacteria around the oesophagus.

Where does the Offshore ponyfish live?

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

How big does the Offshore ponyfish get?

The Offshore ponyfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Offshore ponyfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Offshore ponyfish edible?

Yes, the Offshore ponyfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Offshore ponyfish (Equulites rivulatus) — Leiognathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) yah_japan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Offshore ponyfish (Equulites rivulatus) — Leiognathidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) yah_japan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Offshore ponyfish verified
Scientific name
Equulites rivulatus
Family
Leiognathidae
Other names
Ponyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 sourced
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
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Western 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
Fine wavy lines on the upper back and a protrusible pipette mouth; light-producing bacteria around the oesophagus. 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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