Common ponyfish (Leiognathus equulus)

Scientific name: Leiognathus equulus Forssk?l, 1775

Common ponyfish (Leiognathus equulus)

The Common ponyfish (Leiognathus equulus) is a freshwater fish of the family Leiognathidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 26–29°C (79–84°F).

Common ponyfish care at a glance

Temperature
26–29°C (79–84°F)

Biology

Found in river mouths and muddy inshore areas, often in mangrove areas. Adults are coastal inhabitants found on soft bottoms, usually between depths of 10-70 meters. Juveniles are commonly found in mangrove estuaries and tidal creeks, sometimes entering the lower reaches of freshwater streams. Adults move in schools. Frequently ascend into freshwater reaches of rivers. Active by day. Feed on polychaetes, small crustaceans, small fishes and worms. Important food fish in the tropics. Marketed fresh or dried.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Leiognathus equulus
Family
Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths or ponyfishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
28.0
Common length
20.0
Depth range
10–110 m (33–361 ft)
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous; depth range 10 - 110 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and East Africa (including Reunion, Comoros, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius) to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.35-1.88)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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