LEIOGNATHIDAE


Equulites oblongus, 6.5 cm SL
(from Nha Trang, Vietnam; photo by Seishi Kimura)


Equulites oblongus
(Valenciennes, 1835)
Oblong Ponyfish

D VIII, 16; A III, 13-14 (usually 14); P1 16-19; LL 52-63; GR 4-6 + 12-15 = 17-20; V 10+14.

Body oblong, somewhat elongate, compressed. Mouth protruding downwards, with small slender teeth on both jaws; ventral profile of lower jaw slightly concave. Cheek naked; breast completely scaled laterally with narrow naked area ventrally. Second dorsal and anal fin spines not distinctly elongated. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, brilliant silvery-white ventrally; irregular oblique dark lines dorsolaterally on body; dorsal, anal and caudal fins yellowish. Size: maximum length about 10 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: usually found in shallow waters. Feeds on small crustaceans and polychaetes. Marketed fresh or dried.