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Ponyfish (Nuchequula nuchalis) — Leiognathidae

Ponyfish

Nuchequula nuchalis
Family: Leiognathidae

The Ponyfish (Nuchequula nuchalis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Leiognathidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The spotnape ponyfish is a ponyfish (Leiognathidae) from the northwestern Pacific. The species is small, silvery and strongly compressed with a protrusible mouth and a dark spot on the nape. Luminous bacteria live in a light organ around the gullet, with which it can emit faint light. It lives in schools in shallow coastal and brackish zones. It feeds on small zooplankton and small bottom invertebrates. It is a local food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ponyfish?

The Ponyfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Ponyfish live?

The Ponyfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Ponyfish get?

The Ponyfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Ponyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ponyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Ponyfish edible?

Yes, the Ponyfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nekvlek-ponyvis sourced
English name
Ponyfish verified
Scientific name
Nuchequula nuchalis
Family
Leiognathidae
Other names
Silver ponyfish; spotnape ponyfish; Spotnape ponyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nuchequula

More from the family Leiognathidae

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