Whipfin ponyfish (Equulites leuciscus)

Image source: Jiayuan Lin | inaturalist.org
General data
- Main name: Whipfin ponyfish
- Climates: Tropical, Subtropical
- Habitat: Saltwater
- Native: Africa, Asia, Australia & Oceania
- Distribution: Pacific Ocean, Indian ocean
Classification
- Genus: Equulites - Equulites
- Family: Leiognathidae - Slimys, slipmouths, or ponyfishes
- Order: Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
- Class: Teleostei - Ray-finned fishes
- Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
Description
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Max length: 25 cm TL Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14. Found in coastal inshore waters over mud or sand bottoms, rarely near reefs. Stays near the substrate and feeds on small shrimps, other crustaceans, and polychaetes.