DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

BELONIDAE (NEEDLEFISHES)

Platybelone platyura (Bennett)
(Keeled Needlefish; Pulus)
FL:  to 35 cm (photo:  30 cm SL, Anae Is.)

Needlefishes are surface-dwelling predators that feed primarily on small pelagic fishes and in turn are eaten by large pelagic predators such as mahimahi and billfishes.  They are extremely elongate fish with long jaws full of sharp teeth.  All species are silvery in color, shaded a darker bluish or greenish above.  Some species are found primarily in open ocean waters, while others remain over reefs.  Platybelone platyura is a common, schooling, reef-associated species which can be distinguished from other belonids by its greatly flattened caudal peduncle (base of the tail) which has a greater width than depth.

INDO-PACIFIC:  E. Africa to Hawaii, n. to the Ryukyus.