NEEDLEFISH
BELONIDAE
Keeltail Needlefish
Platybelone argalus  argalus
    Ecological Descriptors
Habitat Size (cm) Diet Behaviour Sex 
EPel to 50 Pisc I/ Sh F
 
 
Notes:
P. argalus argalus is the subspecies found in Antigua


Description
:
Long slender body, silver on flanks with geenosh/ blue back.
Body not much deeper than eye diameter and tail fin lobes of nearly equal size, alough lower slightly larger (cf Houndfish). Wide flattened lateral keel on caudal peduncle (tail base). Beak long and slender, with lower jaw slightly longer than upper.

Ecology
This epipelagic species hovers near the surface, both offshore and in shallower waters. Feeds on fish. Depth range 0 to 5 m (0-15ft).

Life Cycle
Reproduction is via external fertilization. Eggs are attached to floating objects by tendrils on the surface of the eggs. 
Keeltail Needlefish
Keeltail Needlefish
590
591
Synonyms:
Keeled Needlefish