Family : Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths, or ponyfishes)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Whipfin ponyfish
Fish Name : Equulites leuciscus
Max size : 25.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 48635)
Environment : demersal ; depth range 10 - 70 m
Climate : tropical; 26 - 29°C
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.93-1.80)Distribution : Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to northern Australia and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-14. Body silvery; males usually with triangular bluish patch on side of belly; eyes greenish. Head naked; with nuchal spine. Protracted mouth pointing downward. 2nd dorsal and anal spines elongated.
Biology : Found in coastal waters. Stays near the substrate and feeds on small shrimps, other crustaceans, and polychaetes (Ref. 5213). A flighty species during the day (Ref. 48635)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Woodland, David J.
Main Ref : James, P.S.B.R.. 1984. (Ref. 3424)

India country information
Common Names : Whipfin ponyfish
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses