Belone Strongylura

Strongylura strongylura, the spottail needlefish or blackspot longtom, is a species of needlefish from the family Belonidae.

It is found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans from the Persian Gulf east to Australia and the Philippines.

This species occurs in coastal waters and in mangrove-lined lagoons as well as being recorded in estuarine areas and it has even entered freshwater.

Living S. strongylura have been found alive and buried in mud during low tide.

SHORT DESCRIPTION

• Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 15; Anal spines: 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.
  SIZE

• Max length : 40.0 cm

• common length : 22.0 cm

It is piscivorous, feeding mainly on clupeoids.

This species is oviparous and the eggs adhere to objects in the water which catch the tendrils which cover the surface of the egg.