Nuchequula blochii (Valenciennes, 1835)
Twoblotch ponyfish
Nuchequula blochii
photo by CSIRO

 Family:  Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths, or ponyfishes)
 Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  demersal; depth range 1 - 40 m, amphidromous
 Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: known only from Pakistan, India, and Thailand.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-14. This species is distinguished by having the following set of characters: fully scaled breast; naked cheek; anteroventral profile of lower jaw is almost straight; a distinct, jet-black blotch distally on the spinous dorsal fin (Ref. 74926).
 Biology:  Found on shallow waters near the bottom. Young enter brackish waters (Ref. 4833). Feeds mainly on small crustaceans, foraminiferans and nematodes. Sold fresh and dried salted in markets, also used for fishmeal.
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:  Known from Sind (Ref. 74926).

 Entered by: Binohlan, Crispina B. - 18.12.91
 Modified by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 10.04.08
 Checked by: Luna, Susan M. - 21.06.94

Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.


Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10