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Strongylura strongylura (van Hasselt, 1823) Spottail needlefish |
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Balo Spottail needlefish, Balo, Balo, Balô, Balu, Batalay, Batali, Bigiw, Bilan, Dual, Hamalit, Hamalit, Salasa, Sigliwan, Siriw, Subingan, Tambilawang, |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Belonidae (Needlefishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 40 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | pelagic-neritic; depth range 10 - 13 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf eastward along the coasts of Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, then extending to southern China, the Philippines, and northern Australia. A record from Zanzibar (Tanzania) needs confirmation. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-18; Vertebrae: 59-65. Round in cross section. Dorsal fin rays 12-15; anal fin rays 15-18. Caudal peduncle without lateral keels. Caudal fin rounded or truncate. Predorsal scales few and relatively large, 100-130. Caudal fin light with a prominent round black spot near its base. Dorsal fin lobe and distal margin of caudal fin yellow in live adults, anterior margin of anal fin orange. | |||
| Biology: | Found in coastal areas and mangrove-lined lagoons, also enters freshwater. Carnivorous. Feeds mainly on small fishes, especially clupeoids. Occurs at temperatures ranging from 26 to 29°C (Ref. 4959). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface (Ref. 205). Sold fresh in markets. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (Ref. 96402) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
| Country info: | Also Ref. 7050. | |||
| Entered by: Froese, Rainer - 17.10.90 |
| Modified by: Reyes, Rodolfo B. - 27.02.14 |
| Checked by: Luna, Susan M. - 22.08.94 |