Flat Needlefish
Ablennes hians
Also known as: Barred Longtom, Barred Needlefish, Eel Pike, Flat Billfish, Flat-sided Needlefish, Full Beak, Gaping Needlefish, Garfish, Giant Needlefish, Grassfish, Houndfish, Longtoms, Stickfish
- Barred Longtom
- Barred Needlefish
- Eel Pike
- Flat Billfish
- Flat-sided Needlefish
- Full Beak
- Gaping Needlefish
- Garfish
- Giant Needlefish
- Grassfish
- Houndfish
- Longtoms
- Stickfish
Overview
Found singly or in large schools, usually close to the surface, of estuaries, coastal rivers and oceanic waters close to islands.
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!
How to identify
- Fins & Tail
- black tail
- Behaviour
- leaps from waterschoolingsolitary
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Circumtropical
- Country only · 6
Found singly or in large schools, usually close to the surface, of estuaries, coastal rivers and oceanic waters close to islands.
Adult photos 6
Discussion
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Deep dive
More in the family
Needlefishes (Belonidae)





