Strongylura marina (Walbaum, 1792)
Atlantic needlefish
Strongylura marina
photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory

Family:  Belonidae (Needlefishes)
Max. size:  111 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,340.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range - 0 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Maine, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Absent from the Bahamas and Antilles (Ref. 3129).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-17; Anal soft rays: 16-20. Black pigment behind eye, not extending below level of middle of eye (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Inhabits coastal areas and mangrove-lined lagoons. Enters freshwater. Feeds mainly on small fishes. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface (Ref. 205). Only the right gonad is developed (Ref. 26938). Marketed fresh.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 September 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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