Today we are going to talk about a unique species of fish whose species can live both in the marine environment and in fresh waters. Its about needle fish. It is also known by the name of pipefish in certain places, although it should be clarified that, strictly speaking, the name needlefish applies to species of the family Belonidae, while the so-called pipefish belong to the family Syngnathidae, related to seahorses. In many regions, however, both names are popularly used for fish with elongated bodies and narrow snouts. Therefore, in this article, we will clearly distinguish between the two groups where relevant.
It belongs mainly to the Belonidae family and, rather than a single species, the term covers multiple genera and species with common features. In this family all fish are mainly characterized by having an elongated body and extended jaws with a long beak full of fine, sharp teeth.
In this article you can learn everything about the needlefish: characteristics, the habitat, eating, reproduction, fishery, differences with pipefish and practical information for keeping them in captivity.
Key features
These fish have the very elongated body and have nostrils located in the pit in front of their eyes. It has some short pectoral fins compared to other fish, and the dorsal and anal fins are located at the rear of the body, in a position very late, which promotes stability at high speeds near the surface.
It has a ventral lateral line that runs along the entire body. This line starts from the pectoral fin and crosses the flank along the lower area. It presents small cycloid scales which come off easily as soon as there is friction or sudden changes in speed.
They are animals that live near the surface of the water. Because of this, they have a coloration adapted to their environment. That is, they are usually shades of green or bluish on the back y silvery or whitish on the belly. It is not uncommon for them to show a dark blue or blackish band along the side. The straight ventral line can be seen with a blue hue.
The tip of the lower jaw It is, in most cases, fleshy and orange or red colorThanks to their long beak, equipped with numerous teeth, they can capture prey with great speed and precision on the surface.
As for size, there is great variability between species: some freshwater squids barely exceed the 7 cm, while larger marine species can reach more than 1 m (even up to 140 cm or more in some genera). In many coastal populations, however, it is not uncommon to find specimens around 40 cm.
As bony fish, they share general adaptations: gill breathing, variable body temperature (ectotherms), bone skeleton y fins which function as locomotion appendages. Additionally, their elongated body and the posterior arrangement of the dorsal and anal fins favor a linear and fast swimming very close to the sheet of water.
Did you know that many species of needlefish are capable of jump over water up to about a meterThis behavior, which may help them escape predators or fishing gear, explains why they are sometimes observed "flying" above the surface.
Range and habitat of the needlefish
These fish have their characteristic distribution area that expands throughout the Western Atlantic and part of the Mediterranean Sea, as traditional knowledge of coastal fishermen indicated. However, the family Belonidae is widely distributed through seas and oceans of warm and temperate waters of the planet, including coastal stretches of other oceans and various estuaries. In addition, there are spits of sweet water en South America y Asia, belonging to continental genres.
They usually move away from the coast up to moderate distances and approach when temperature rises of the water during spring and summer. During the winter, many coastal populations migrate to deeper watersIn the warm season, their observation and capture are easier due to their concentration in coastal strips and estuaries.
Preferably, its natural habitat is located in open surface waters with pelagic influence, although They are present in estuaries, inlets and coastal areas with freshwater supplies. In tropical continental systems, certain species prefer high and middle courses of rivers, with well-oxygenated waters.
When they swim in formation compact benches, the set generates a characteristic ripple in the water surface, easy to recognize by experienced fishermen. If the fish they jump on the surface, the identification of banks becomes even more evident.
Behavior, locomotion and safety
Marine stingrays are fast swimmers that patrol the surface in search of prey, taking advantage of their hydrodynamic silhouette. In contrast, several continental species move with calmer movements, remaining discreet among vegetation or moderate currents.
Isolated incidents have been documented where some stings have caused injury when jumping. wounds to people on the surface. Although it is an event very rare, it is advisable to take precautions during night fishing or navigation in areas with dense banks: carrying adequate lighting, avoiding dazzling the fish and maintaining a safe distance reduces the likelihood of scares.
Feeding and reproduction of the pipefish
The pipefish is a fish carnivorous whose main and smallest food are the young of anchovies and sardinesThese fish have optimized hunting techniques that allow them to prey on them like felines.
Apart from the young anchovies, they also tend to eat other animals such as crustaceans, molluscs and other small fish. However, the former are undoubtedly his favorite dish. Fishing for needlefish It is quite easy if you put baits of what would be its natural food.
In marine belonids, the hunting strategy is based on the speed and lateral attack using the toothed beak, similar to that of some barracudas, while pipefish (Syngnathidae), when sharing a habitat, feed by means of a precise suction taking advantage of its tubular mouth, capturing zooplankton and tiny crustaceans. Some freshwater species popularly classified as needlefish also exhibit a diet dominated by small crustaceans and larvae.
As for its reproduction, the belonid needlefish expels the eggs in shallow waters where there are abundant algae or floating objects to which they can adhere. The eggs measure around 3 mm. and present filaments or tendrils which facilitate their fixation, remaining attached until hatching. The young are born with a stylized appearance but their bony beak develops progressively.
In pipefish (e.g., Syngnathus), reproduction presents a singularity: it is the macho whoever incubate the eggs in a incubator bag or under ventral folds until the birth of fully formed young. This trait has made the group famous for its paternal "false gestation" and clearly distinguishes syngnathids from nightshades.
Continental distribution area and examples of freshwater species
In addition to marine forms, there are continental spurs on different continents. South America There are species of rivers and lakes that can reach average sizes about 20–25 cm, showing pelagic behaviors in headwaters or middle sections and diets with aquatic crustaceans as a main component. In Asia, freshwater genera include Southeast Asian species adapted to tropical environments and temperate.
In the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic area, it is popularly known as river needle to a syngnathid associated with coastal areas, lagoons and estuaries with submerged vegetation. It is a fish of discreet habits, closely linked to seagrass meadows and macroalgae, which feeds mainly on zooplankton. Your sensitivity to the contamination The loss of habitat already makes it a good bioindicator.
Marlin fishing
In almost the entire world, needlefish fishing has great commercial interest, as with the king fishThey are captured using the technique of drag or with purse seine nets on the surface, where the schools are concentrated. When surrounded, the specimens try to escape and entangle easily due to its elongated shape. There is also a traditional version with phytora (trident) which is practiced at night, taking advantage of lights to attract the fish towards the boat.
In recreational fishing, natural baits (small fish or crustaceans) are used near the surface with certain freshwater and coastal species, often with buoyThey are fish that can resist on the line due to his powerful runs and changes of direction when jumping.
It is considered a delicacy for its tasty meat and the contribution of omega-3 fatty acidsHowever, some people avoid it because of its high content of fine ossicles greenish in color. The price usually ranges from 10 and 15 euros per kilo, which is why it is sometimes reserved for special occasions.
To cook this fish you need to know a few things first. Its preparation is quite simple since it has few large thorns; the most laborious thing is to adapt to it elongated morphology when filleted. Exquisite grilled or fried dishes can be prepared. Canned (known as re-slinging in some areas), it is used in salads y Snacks for its firm texture and intense flavor; cooked to steam It maintains its properties and juiciness well.
Needlefish Care
Once fish have been brought from the wild to a pond or aquarium, they can become quite resistant and thrive in a wide variety of spaces. However, it is important to watch for signs of bacterial infections: the fish should not show cloudiness in eyes, skin or fins, or excessively rapid breathing.
Also, you have to make sure that the animal is not stressedThe transition from the natural environment is more favorable if housed with like-minded people or related species with calm behavior. Captive-bred specimens tend to adapt better than those captured in the wild.
Feeding needlefish in captivity
In captivity, they require a varied diet de live foods or frozen quality. It is ideal to prioritize organisms of marine origin for its wealth in highly unsaturated fatty acids. If freshwater dams are used, it is advisable to enrich with vitamins (for example, Vitamin C) and HUFA supplements.
Common options include amphipods, copepods, mysis, Artemia (nauplii and subadults), shrimp larvae, ghost shrimp o red shrimp sized to fit the fish's mouth. Syngnathids benefit from small prey that stimulates their visual feeding and several daily doses.
Tank requirements
The most suitable setup for marine needlefish is a 1/2" aquarium. saltwater rocks, seagrass and shelters (caves and overhangs) that replicate their surroundings. They are best kept in couples or small groups. The range of temperature recommended is approximately between 22 ºC and 25 ºC (equivalent to 72–77 ºF). The pH optimal is usually between 8.1 and 8.4, with alkalinity moderate and specific gravity typical of a sailor (1.020–1.025). A lighting enough makes it easier for them to find their prey, since they are visual dining rooms.
Reproduction and life cycle
In marine belonids, mating is usually concentrated in warm seasons. The eggs, of about 3 mm, adhere to seaweed or floating objects thanks to filaments. The hatching occurs within a few days or weeks, depending on the temperature, and the juveniles begin feeding on plankton and microcrustaceans until their peak and teeth are fully developed to catch fish.
In syngnathids, the female transfers the eggs to the macho, which incubates them in a ventral structure for several weeks, after which the young are born well formed and relatively independent. In some species of pipefish, the sexual maturity can be achieved early and its longevity is usually moderate.
Taxonomy and representative genera
The needles (Belonidae) include dozens of species grouped into several genera present in warm and temperate seas and, to a lesser extent, in continental waters. Among the most representative are:
- Ablennes: widely distributed marine stingrays, slender in size and pelagic in behavior.
- Belone: common in the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea; slender body and somewhat longer lower jaw.
- Belonion: needles of sweet water South American.
- Petalichthys: medium-sized subtropical species, with silvery-blue coloration.
- Platybelone: monospecific marine genus with an elongated body and sharp beak.
- Potamorrhaphis: spurs of rivers and lakes of South America; some species are around 20–25 cm and feed on small crustaceans.
- Pseudotylosurus: South American freshwater continental lineages.
- Strongylura: common stingrays with a wide distribution; coastal species and some freshwater species.
- Tylosurus: typically marine, of big size and very elongated body.
- Xenentodon: needles of sweet water en Asia, with superficial habits.
In parallel, the so-called "pipefish" are syngnathids (Syngnathus, Nerophis and related), with serpentine body, bony rings instead of scales, tubular face and absence of pelvic fins, very different from the Belonidae despite the similarity of their common names.
How to recognize a pipefish from a marlin
The river needlefish or pipefish of coastal/estuarine waters usually measures less than 15cm, Presents brown or grayish color with golden or greenish reflections and a slow movement thanks to the dorsal fin. It hides between underwater vegetation and rarely strays far from it. Its diet is focused on zooplankton and microcrustaceans, and the male incubates the eggs.
In contrast, a typical marine pipefish (belonid) shows a bright silver ventral, blue or green dorsals, one ventral lateral line well marked and a beak full of teeth with which he captures little fishes at high speed near the surface.
As a practical reminder: if you see a very thin, brown fish, with rings in the body and tubular mouth without visible teeth, you are looking at a pipefish; if it is silver and jagged, with a long, shiny beak, it is a marine stingray.
I hope this information helps you learn more about this fish. This content brings together the key characteristics of the needlefish, its habitat and diet, differentiates its marine and continental varieties, explains its reproduction and its fishing and culinary interest, and includes useful tips for its maintenance. responsible observation and maintenance in aquarium where appropriate.
