Slender ponyfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slender ponyfish |
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The slender ponyfish, known scientifically as Equulites elongatus, is a small fish that lives in the ocean. People also call it the elongate ponyfish, elongate slimy, or elongated slipmouth. This fish belongs to a family called Leiognathidae, which are often called "ponyfish" or "slipmouths." You can find the slender ponyfish in the western parts of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
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About the Slender Ponyfish
The slender ponyfish has a body that is longer than other fish in its family. It has a special mouth that points downwards and can stick out, which is common for ponyfish. This helps it find food.
Fins and Scales
The fish has one main fin on its back, called the dorsal fin. It has 8 stiff spines and 16 soft rays. The first spine is small, but the next three are bigger. Then they get smaller again towards the tail. The fin on its underside, called the anal fin, has 3 spines and 14 soft rays.
Its side fins, called pectoral fins, have 16 soft rays each. The small fins on its belly, called pelvic fins, have one spine and five soft rays. These belly fins are located slightly in front of its side fins.
The head of the slender ponyfish does not have any scales. However, its cheeks and chest are covered with tiny scales. It also has small spines on the back of its neck, called the nape.
Size and Color
The top part of the slender ponyfish's body is dark grey. It has irregular dark spots. Its underside is a shiny silver-grey color. The eye has a silver-grey iris and a black pupil.
These fish can grow up to 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches) long. But usually, they are about 8 centimeters (about 3.1 inches) long.
Where Slender Ponyfish Live
The slender ponyfish lives in the Indo-West Pacific region. This area includes the Indian Ocean and the western part of the Pacific Ocean. They have been seen near northern Australia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
Slender Ponyfish Behavior
The slender ponyfish is a demersal species. This means it lives near the bottom of the sea. You can find them in shallow waters, usually up to 30 meters (about 100 feet) deep.
These fish are very social. They like to live together in large groups called schools. You will usually see them swimming close to the seabed with their group.
What They Eat
Slender ponyfish mostly eat small creatures that live on the seabed. Their diet includes tiny crustaceans, like small crabs or shrimp. They also eat polychaete worms and different types of algae.
Slender Ponyfish and People
The slender ponyfish is not a very important fish for commercial fishing. It is caught, but not in large amounts compared to other fish.
Slender Ponyfish Family Tree
Scientists study fish to understand their relationships. In 2017, scientists looked at the DNA of the slender ponyfish. They found that what we thought was one species is actually a group of three different species.
These three species are:
- Equulites aethopos, found in the southern Red Sea.
- Equulites elongatus, found in Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
- Equulites popei, found from the Red Sea and eastern Africa all the way to the Andaman Sea.
This new understanding has been accepted by Fishbase, a large online database about fish.
