Fin's Fish Guide
The Pugnose ponyfish (Secutor insidiator) is a fish of the family Leiognathidae that grows up to 9 cm.
Description
The pugnose ponyfish is a ponyfish (Leiognathidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with a highly protrusible mouth that it can extend obliquely upward as a tube to suck up plankton. Like other ponyfishes it carries luminous bacteria in an organ around the oesophagus, with which it can make its underside glow, possibly for schooling and courtship. It lives in schools in turbid coastal waters and estuaries. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Pugnose ponyfish?
The Pugnose ponyfish is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Obliquely protrusible tube mouth; luminous bacteria make the ventral line glow.
Where does the Pugnose ponyfish live?
The Pugnose ponyfish is mostly found around open water. Indo-West Pacific; turbid coastal waters and estuaries.
How big does the Pugnose ponyfish get?
The Pugnose ponyfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.
Is the Pugnose ponyfish dangerous to humans?
No, the Pugnose ponyfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Pugnose ponyfish edible?
The Pugnose ponyfish is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Secutor
More from the family Leiognathidae
Want the complete picture on the Pugnose ponyfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Pugnose ponyfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.