Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Needlefish
A fish that has a needle-like appearance, let us see how it makes use of it.
Name- Needlefish
Scientific name- Belonidae
Size- 3cm- 95 cm
Habitat & Distribution
Needlefish are found in Freshwater, Brackish and marine waters in Tropical and Temperate regions.
Needlefish are also located in the Mediterranean seas.
They are noticed in a group called ‘schools’ where several Needlefish swim together to learn hunting.
Appearance
Needlefish have a long thin and narrow body
They have thin pointed jaws that consist of pointed teeth, as said in the name Needlefish.
The upper jaw is smaller in size than the lower jaw until the fish reaches the adult stage.
They are also known as ‘Needle nose’ fish. The dorsal fin, a fin on the back of the fish is located towards the head.
Food-
Needlefish hunts and feeds upon Fish, Crustaceans, and cephalopods.
Until they reach the adult stage, Juveniles eat Planktons with their smaller jaws.
The Needlefish have a special technique known as ‘ Snells window’ for feeding.
When the Needlefish feeds the image of the fish gets refracted and there is a distortion in the images they receive, this helps them in grabbing the prey fast, with their needle jaw.
Reproduction
Fighting of males is observed before mating.
Spawning reproduction is also observed.
But the females are oviparous. They lay eggs in the shallow waters of the host plant.
She lays about 100 eggs and incubation is of 10-15 days.
Larvae are 0.5 inches when hatched.
Needlefish are hunted by birds of prey like sea eagles, hawks, and ospreys. In water, they are in danger from sharks and dolphins.
Fishing by humans is also a threat to Needlefish
Also See ⇒ Horseshoe Crab