Pi62 Belona crocodila (Hound needlefish)

 Pi62                             Belona crocodila (Hound needlefish)

 

Phylum            : Chordata

Class                : Teleostei

Order               : Beloniformes

Family             : Belonidae

Genus              : Belona

Species            : Belona crocodila

Accepted Name: Tylosurus crocodilus

 

Description:

        Body elongate, circular in cross-section; D 21-24 with anterior rays forming a relatively high lobe, 5.4-10.6 body length (excluding the head and caudal fin); dorsal fin origin about equal with or slightly in front to anal fin origin; pectoral-fin rays 13 to 15 (usually 14 or 15); 270-340 predorsal scales; 75-80 vertebrae; jaws extremely long, forming a stout beak armed with very sharp teeth; no gill rakers absent; caudal fin deeply emarginate, the lower lobe much longer than the upper one and the caudal peduncle with a distinct, black lateral keel; body colour dark bluish green above, silvery below; juveniles (to 20 cm body length) with elevated black lobe in posterior part of dorsal fin which is lost with growth; scales and bones green.

 

IUCN Status: Least concern