Agujon Needlefish

Diagnosis: body elongate; upper and lower jaws extremely long, forming a stout beak armed with very sharp teeth; gill rakers absent (Ref. 57228, 90102). Nostrils in depression before eyes (nasal pit); pelvic fins abdominal; 20-26 dorsal-fin rays; anal fin short, 9.7-11.7 times in body length; small, black lateral keel on either sides of caudal peduncle; caudal fin deeply forked (Ref. 57228).Description: body less rounded in cross-section than T. crocodilus (Ref. 57228). Upper jaw nearly even with lower jaw (Ref. 90102). Anterior rays of dorsal and anal fins forming relatively high lobes that are comprised from 10.5-13.3 and from 9.7-11.7 times, respectively, in body length (Ref. 57228, 90102). Dorsal fin origin about equal with or slightly anterior to origin of anal fin (Ref. 90102). Pectoral and pelvic fins rather short, comprised from 8.0-12.4 and from 10.0-14.1 times, respectively, in body length (Ref. 57228). Lower lobe of caudal fin longer than upper (Ref. 57228, 90102). 267-430 (Ref. 57228) or 280-340 (Ref. 90102) predorsal scales. Left gonad absent or strongly reduced in both sexes (Ref. 57228). Coloration: back dark blue, belly silvery white; blue line along sides (Ref. 57228). Dorsal fin in juveniles with elevated posterior lobe which disappears with growth (Ref. 57228). Blackish margin on caudal fin (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 27; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 20 - 24; Vertebrae: 90 - 95

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Inhabits coral reefs (Ref. 58534).

Inhabits oceanic and neritic waters (Ref. 26340). Feeds on small fishes. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface (Ref. 205). Although sold fresh and salted, its market is limited due to the green-colored flesh (Ref. 5217). Circumglobal in tropical seas and divisible into four subspecies (Ref 90102).

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Tylosurus acus (keel-jawed needlefish) is a game fish of the family Belonidae.

Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to Brazil

nektonic