Family : Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths, or ponyfishes)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Slender ponyfish
Fish Name : Equulites elongatus
Max size : 12.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 30573)
Environment : demersal ; depth range 20 - 100 m
Climate : tropical
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.80-1.40)Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: east coast of Africa and off southwest India; eastwards to the Philippines; north to Japan; south to Australia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-14. Body silvery and mottled green and dark on back. Head without scales; cheek and breast covered with small scales; nuchal spine present; protracted mouth pointing downward (Ref. 2108).
Biology : Inhabits shallow waters, usually in schools near the bottom (Ref. 30573, 48635). Feeds mainly on small crustaceans, polychaetes and algae (Ref. 30573)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Woodland, David J.
Main Ref : James, P.S.B.R.. 1984. (Ref. 3424)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses