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Orangefin ponyfish (Photopectoralis aureus) — Leiognathidae

Orangefin ponyfish

Photopectoralis aureus
Family: Leiognathidae

The Orangefin ponyfish (Photopectoralis aureus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Leiognathidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
70.0–140.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and others

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Description

The orangefin ponyfish is a ponyfish (Leiognathidae) from turbid coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, shiny silver body with a highly protrusible mouth and golden tints. In its throat it carries luminous bacteria with which it spreads a glow in schools. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches for small zooplankton, worms and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orangefin ponyfish?

The Orangefin ponyfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Orangefin ponyfish live?

The Orangefin ponyfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and others

How big does the Orangefin ponyfish get?

The Orangefin ponyfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Orangefin ponyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Orangefin ponyfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Orangefin ponyfish (Photopectoralis aureus) — Leiognathidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) kenhe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Orangefin ponyfish sourced
Scientific name
Photopectoralis aureus
Family
Leiognathidae
Other names
Golden ponyfish; False toothed ponyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
70.0 verified
Max depth (m)
140.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Photopectoralis

More from the family Leiognathidae

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