Everything You Need to Know About Needlefish

selim12 December 11, 2023 0 Comments

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Deep-sea needlefish, also known as The Atlantic Needlefish (Strongylura marina). They are mainly found on the surface! they are known for their long needle-like jaws!

Scientific Name

Habitat

Diet

Strongylura marina

Mediterranean Sea

crustaceans,small cephalopods and krill

Animal Type

needlefish

Size

3 cm to 95 cm

Depth

surface

Table of Contents

Needlefish History:

It was a matter of interest to Charles Alexandre Lesueur who described it in 1821.

Habitat:

They are mainly found in marine and freshwater, subtropics to some species inhabit midwater too. Some of them are spotted in the Mediterranean Sea in coral reefs.

Appearance and size Of Needlefish:

They closely resemble North American freshwater gars. Their size range is from 3 cm to 95 cm. They have a single dorsal fin, placed far back on the body, opposite to the anal fin. They are identified by their long beak having multiple sharp teeth. The upper jaw reaches full length in adults so juveniles have a half-beak appearance with lower jaw and a small one. The fish’s dark color will blend with it”s entourage due to the reflection of the light penetrating to the surface! It” ‘s kind of camouflage!

They can reach a maximum length of 1.5 meters.

Needlefish Attack:

The danger of this fish is not present in venom or spine; it can jump off the surface at high speed and expose its sharp teeth to catch anything that suits its mouth. They can attack fishermen at night jumping at high speed (up to 60km/h).Many people suffer from needlefish attacks as they are impossible to spot or predict during this dangerous stunt.

Diet:

Their main prey is smaller fish, crustaceans, small cephalopods, and krill. Indian species prefer large crustaceans, while other saltwater species prefer cephalopods!

Reproduction & LifeCycle:

They mate between May and April. Males are larger than females, and ride the females through the water to mate. They can lay up to 100 eggs in a 10-15-day period in shallow water and migrate in order to find the correct breeding ground. They can live up to eight years old!

They can live around eight years in the wild. Needlefish are known for their unique swimming behavior. They can swim near the surface of the water and even leap out of the water when chasing prey or trying to escape predators. This leaping behavior can be quite impressive and is often seen as they hunt. Numerous attacks have been recorded of humans jumping for the water and attacking with sharp jaws.

They typically hunt in schools with up to 100 individuals!

How fast is a needlefish?

neeldefish can jump off the water with a speed of up to 40mp/h, they can walk on the surface with tails due to their extreme agility. This presents a high danger to humans.

Conservation Status:

Deep-sea needlefish populations are generally not considered threatened or endangered. However, like many marine species, they can be affected by habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing.

Cool Facts About Needlefish:

-They can weigh 4.5 kilograms.

-They have an attraction to light.

-They have a lower jaw helping them to see and pray better!

The Needlefish is a creature of beauty found at the surface,it’s an opportunistic feeder with long snouts like needles!

Are needlefish venomous?

No, they are not venomous

Do needlefish bite?

Yes, needlefish can bite humans and cause serious injury if they come into contact with them while swimming or fishing. Their sharp beaks and jumping ability can cause deep puncture wounds if they impale a person. These wounds can be extremely painful and may require medical attention to prevent infection.

Are needlefish rare?

There is no evidence to suggest that they are rare. In fact, their population is increasing, with no species being at risk.

Is it safe to swim with needlefish?

No, swimming with needlefish is relatively dangerous as they jump off the water at high speed.