Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Beloniformes (Needle fishes) >
Belonidae (Needlefishes)
Etymology: Xenentodon: Greek, xenos = strange + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 20 - ?; amphidromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 2 m (Ref. 58302). Tropical; 22°C - 28°C (Ref. 1672), preferred ?; 38°N - 5°N
Asia: Sri Lanka and India eastward to the Mekong.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4833); common length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4833)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 0;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 15-18;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 16 - 18. Body very elongate and slightly compressed. Dorsal fin inserted usually anterior to a vertical through the origin of the anal fin. Green-silvery dorsally, grading to whitish below. A silvery band with a dark margin run along the side; a series of four or five blotches (absent in young specimens) on sides between the pectoral and anal fins. Dorsal and anal fins with dark edges.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Male pursues a slow-moving female and upon catching up with the female, will begin shuddering from side to side while the pair is oriented parallel to each other; the pair positions themselves close to submerged vegetation; male assumes a slight head-down position , with his anal fin curled under the female's vent; the pair begins trembling until a single large egg is released; each female produces about a dozen eggs per day; eggs hatch in about a week; no parental care (Ref. 44091).
Talwar, P.K. and A.G. Jhingran, 1991. Inland fishes of India and adjacent countries. Volume 2. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam. (Ref. 4833)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic (Ref. 6028)
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: potential
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