Description

Also known as Banded Needlefish, Blackspot Longtom, Fullbeak, Fullbeak Garfish, Garfish, Light-colored Garfish, Roundtail Alligator Garfish, Roundtail Needlefish.

Found singly or in small schools, close to the surface, over coastal bays, estuaries and mangrove-lined lagoons.
They feed on small surface fish.
Length - 40cm
Depth - 0-13m
Widespread Indo-West Pacific

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/1316