LEIOGNATHIDAE


Leiognathus longipinnis, 6.0 cm SL
(from Lombok, Indonesia; photo by Seishi Kimura)


Leiognathus longipinnis
(Valenciennes, 1835)
Smithurst's Ponyfish

D VII-VIII, 16-17 (usually VIII, 16); A III, 14; P1 19-21; LL 61-69; GR 5-6 + 14-19 = 19-21; V 10+14.

Body extremely deep, compressed. Mouth protruding downwards, with small slender teeth on both jaws; profile of lower jaw slightly concave; supraorbital ridge smooth or weakly serrated. Second dorsal and anal fin spines distinctly elongated, filamentous; retrorse spines of dorsal and anal fin pterygiophores strong and exposed. Cheek, breast, and belly completely naked. Color: body blue-grayish silver dorsally, brilliant silvery-white ventrally; dorsolateral body with 5 or 6 dark vertical bands in juveniles; usually yellow blotches laterally on body. Size: maximum length about 16 cm. Distribution: distributed in Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: feeds on benthic invertebrates. Marketed fresh or dried.