Pi137 Gazza minuta (Toothed Ponyfish)

Pi137                                          Gazza minuta (Toothed Ponyfish)

 

Phylum : Chordata

Class    : Actinopterygii

Order   : Perciformes

Family : Leiognathidae

Genus  : Gazza

Species : G. minuta

 

Description:

Biology: Bioluminescent

Habitat: estuaries, Coastal waters

Silvery with a row of dark spots along the lateral line in freshly caught specimens, canine teeth in both jaws. Silvery, back greyish, with dark yellow irregular markings extending to below lateral line, sometimes appearing as a row of small blotches along the lateral line, front of anal fin yellow, black pigment on the snout, and a black margin on the spinous dorsal fin. The silvery area below the eye has a narrow extension around the front of the eye. dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins colorless. Scales minute. Head and breast scaleless. Nuchal spine on nape. Mouth pointing forward when protracted. Found in shallow inshore coastal waters over silty bottoms. Young enters mangrove estuaries or silty reef areas.  Searches for prey using a protruding pipette-like mouth or by sieving potential food through their gill raker. Feeds on small fishes, shrimps, other crustaceans, and polychaetes. Sold fresh and dried salted; also made into fishmeal.

 

IUCN Status: Least Concern