Platybelone argalus platyura (Bennett, 1832)

Keeled needlefish

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Beloniformes \| Belonidae
Synonyms	Belone platyura, Belone carinata, Belone dorsalis, ... more
Common names	Needlefish, Longtom, Keeltail needlefish, ... more

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Image of Platybelone argalus platyura (Keeled needlefish)

Picture by Randall, J.E.

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Aquamaps of Platybelone argalus platyura

This map was computer-generated and has not yet been reviewed.

AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990. (Ref. 2334)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator : Collette, Bruce B. | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 38.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30573); common length : 30.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30573)

Environment

Reef-associated; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); marine; depth range 0 - 2 m (Ref. 58302)

Climate / Range

Tropical; 21°N - 1°N

Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ogasawara Islands. The subspecies platura from the Red Sea to Persian Gulf, platyura in the rest of the Indo-Pacific, and argalus in the tropical Atlantic (Ref. 37816).
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 20; Vertebrae: 62 - 75. Gill rakers present; dorsal fin rays few, 12-15; caudal peduncle greatly depressed with very large keel on each side (Ref. 9682). See also Ref. 1602.

Inhabits offshore surface waters but is particularly abundant around islands (Ref. 9682). Probably the most common needlefish of reef flats, lagoons and bays where it occurs in groups of a few to several dozen. Carnivorous, feeding mainly on small fishes; marketed fresh (Ref. 9682). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface (Ref. 205).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Harmless

Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; gamefish: yes


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

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Summary page \| Point data \| Common names \| Photos

Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Low to moderate vulnerability (25 of 100)	High

Entered by Froese, Rainer

Modified by Ortañez, Auda Kareen

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Page last modified by : elaxamana, 15 July 2009

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