Spottail needlefish (Strongylura strongylura) is a saltwater, brackish species recorded in Singapore. It is mainly found over sand, estuary, mangrove.
Scientific name: Strongylura strongylura · Water: Saltwater, Brackish
Size: up to 40 cm
The spottail needlefish is a slim belonid with a needle-like body and rows of fine teeth that lives right at the surface and leaps clear of the water when startled — the silver streaks that shoot across the estuary mouths and mangroves of Sungei Buloh, Kranji, Punggol and Pasir Ris are usually this species, and the literature gives a maximum length of 40 cm. It is taken on a small fish, prawn strip or feather lure towed fast under a float just below the surface. Those teeth make a wire trace or a heavy leader essential, and it should never be handled bare-handed, because it thrashes and bites when landed.
Back to home · Singapore · Species library