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