Deep pugnose ponyfish (Secutor ruconius)

Scientific name: Secutor ruconius Hamilton, 1822

The Deep pugnose ponyfish (Secutor ruconius) is a freshwater fish of the family Leiognathidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 26–29°C (79–84°F). Native range: Indo-West Pacific, tropical Indian Ocean and southeast Asia, north to Taiwan and China, south to northern Australia. Also reported from New Caledonia.

Deep pugnose ponyfish care at a glance

Temperature: 26–29°C (79–84°F)

Biology

Found in coastal waters. Enters estuaries and rivers. Forms schools. Feeds on small crustaceans. Marketed fresh or dried and salted.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Secutor ruconius
Family: Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths or ponyfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 8.0
Common length: 6.0
Depth range: 40 m (131 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous; depth range ? - 40 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: tropical Indian Ocean and southeast Asia, north to Taiwan and China, south to northern Australia. Also reported from New Caledonia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=1.00-1.60)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026