Toothpony (Gazza minuta)

Scientific name: Gazza minuta Bloch, 1795

The Toothpony (Gazza minuta) is a brackish-water fish of the family Leiognathidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 26–29°C (79–84°F). Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea and the east African coast (30? to about 50?S) to Australia and Tahiti, north to the Ryukyu Islands.

Toothpony care at a glance

Temperature: 26–29°C (79–84°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14. Body silvery; anterior part of anal fin yellow; dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins colorless. Scales minute. Head and breast scaleless. Nuchal spine on nape. Mouth pointing forward when protracted.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Gazza minuta
Family: Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths or ponyfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 21.0
Common length: 15.0
Depth range: 10–110 m (33–361 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 110 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and the east African coast (30? to about 50?S) to Australia and Tahiti, north to the Ryukyu Islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.70-1.30)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026