Keeltail needlefish (Platybelone argalus argalus) fish species and information / pictures of Keeltail needlefish - Platybelone argalus argalus

Keeltail needlefish (Platybelone argalus argalus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Platybelone argalus argalus

Common Name
Keeltail needlefish

Biology
Occurs offshore; particularly abundant around islands (Ref. 5217); schools in sheltered parts of the reef (Ref. 48635). Feeds mainly on small fishes. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface

Classification

Classified By

Lesueur, 1821

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Needle fishes (Beloniformes)

Family

Needlefishes (Belonidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA to Brazil (Ref. 7251), including the Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - ? m, usually 0 - 2 m (Ref. 40849)

Trophic Level

4.46 s.e. 0.79 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

50.0 cm

Common Length

35.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (27 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated