Description
Also known as Alligator Gar, Crocodile Longtom, Crocodile Needlefish, Gar, Garfish, Giant Longtom, Guardfish, Hound, Houndfish, Longjaw, Longtom, Ocean Piper, Pike Fish, Seagar, Stickfish.
Found singly or in small schools patrolling surface waters of lagoons and seaward reefs.
They feed on small fish.
Length - 150cm
Depth - 0-13m
Widespread Circumtropical
Needlefish hunt smaller fish just below the surface of the sea, but in turn the are also hunted by larger fish like Tuna and can sometimes be seen leaping into the air and seeming to skip along on their tails on the surface of the water to escape predators.
Potentially dangerous at night when attracted to light as they leap out of the water and have been known to cause fatalities with their beaks! Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/977
5 comments
Posted by KlausSaw one today near the beach in Koh Chang, Thailand.
Posted by CorSeveral hound needlefish in the red sea Eilat. Israël at coral beach.
Posted by Kento BoxAre crocodile needlefish dangerous?
Posted by buck buchananCaught one today in the Nambucca river, Mid North Coast of New South Wales in 5 foot of water about 1km from the mouth of the river
Posted by Kristin SeeligToday I have seen a crocodile needlefish at Moore Reef near Cairns / North Queensland / Australia.