HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishSlimys, slipmouths or ponyfishesHatai's ponyfish Hatai's ponyfish (Photopectoralis hataii) Scientific name: Photopectoralis hataii Abe & Haneda, 1972 The Hatai's ponyfish (Photopectoralis hataii) is a marine fish of the family Leiognathidae. Native range: Western Central Pacific, known only from Indonesia. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14; Vertebrae: 24. Mouth protruding forward, not downward; teeth small, slender, pointed, uniserial on jaws; membrane between jaws and cheeks densely pigmented, with a black line between anteroventral margin of eye and the lower articulation when mouth closed; lateral line incomplete, ending below base of 11th to 15th dorsal fin soft ray; body rather deep, 40-44% SL; posterior limb of maxilla long, 27-30% HL; anteroventral profile of lower jaw slightly concave; belly almost wholly scaled; large blotch below base of dorsal fin spine.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePhotopectoralis hataiiFamilyLeiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths or ponyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length4.8EnvironmentMarine; demersalClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Central Pacific: known only from Indonesia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026