ANIMAL SPECIES:Common Ponyfish, Leiognathus equulus (Forsskal, 1775)
It occurs in the Indo-West Pacific in estuarine and coastal waters. It is also known from muddy river mouths and sometimes ascends into freshwaters.
Identification
The Common Ponyfish is silvery with a brown saddle on the caudal peduncle. It has faint bars on the back and sometimes a dark blotch on the forehead. The anal fin is yellowish.
Like all species in the genus Leiognathus, the Common Ponyfish can extend its mouth into a downward pointing tube.
Size range
The species grows to 25 cm in length.Distribution
It occurs in the Indo-West Pacific.
In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to southern Queensland.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Common Ponyfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
It occurs in estuarine and coastal waters. It is also known from muddy river mouths and sometimes ascends into freshwaters.
Classification
- Species:
- equulus
- Genus:
- Leiognathus
- Family:
- Leiognathidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Gloerfelt-Tarp, T & P.J. Kailola. 1984. Trawled Fishes of southern Indonesia and north-western Australia. Jakarta: Directorate General of Fisheries (Indonesia), German Agency for Technical Cooperation, Australian Development Assistance Bureau. Pp. 406.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
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A Common Ponyfish caught off Mindoro Island View full size
Mark McGrouther
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