LEIOGNATHIDAE


Nuchequula gerreoides, 8.0 cm SL
(photo by Seishi Kimura)


Nuchequula gerreoides
(Bleeker, 1851)
Yellowfinned Ponyfish

D VIII, 14-17 (usually VIII, 16); A III, 13-15 (usually III, 14); P1 16-20; LL 52-69; GR 3-7 + 13-22 = 18-29; V 10+14.

Body deep, compressed, oblong. Mouth protruding downwards; profile of lower jaw concave; small slender teeth arranged in a single row on jaws; cheek naked. Retrorse spines of dorsal and anal-fin pterygiophores exposed but blunt. Cheek, breast, and belly widely naked. Color: body generally silvery-white; black blotches on snout tip and nape; dorsal and anal fins with yellow margins; pectoral fin often yellowish. Size: maximum length about 13 cm. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific. Remarks: inhabits soft bottom area at depths shallower than 30 m. Leiognathus decorus is a synonym.