Needle-fish: a description of what it looks like and where it lives, whether it is sea or river, reproduction
Needlefish, despite their fragile physique, is one of the most dangerous species of fish for humans, and many cases of harm to humans, even deaths, have already been recorded. However, in addition to its unusual appearance, the needlefish also has other interesting features that deserve attention. Consider the characteristics and features of the needlefish, its place in the ecosystem, as well as the features of reproduction.
History of needlefish discovery
Predatory needlefish are known for having a long row of sharp teeth resembling a saw blade.But not only the teeth make them dangerous, but the combination of these teeth and fast movement speed. Long-snouted needlefish usually swim near the surface of the water and have been known to jump over small boats. Interestingly, when jumping, needlefish reach speeds of up to sixty kilometers per hour, which leads to the fact that people who get in their way are pierced by them and receive serious, sometimes fatal injuries as a result.
Although cases of pipefish attacks are rare, there have been several such episodes in recent years. In 2019, an Indonesian boy was injured while fishing when one of the pipefish hit him in the neck. Fortunately, he received medical attention and survived his injury, but other stories did not end so well. For example, in 2017, a Thai resident died after being attacked by one of these needlefish.
In 2014, a strange incident occurred in Vietnam involving needlefish.A Russian tourist almost died when a fish jumped out of the water and dug into her neck, leaving pieces of their needle-sharp teeth inside. This is considered an exceptional case, as pipefish traditionally pierce their prey.
Description
The family contains about three hundred species of fish, among which there is a genus of seahorses. An example is the prehensile-tailed pipefish, which is found in the Bahamas and has characteristics intermediate between the seahorse and pipefish. The colors of these representatives vary from black to red and yellow, spots are often observed.
Appearance
Both s altwater and freshwater needlefish have long, slender bodies with flattened jaws that contain many small teeth. Adults can range in size from two and a half to 60 cm, while seahorses grow to 4-20 cm and have a long tail that allows them to quickly stick to various algae and underwater objects.
Distinguishing a male from a female can be quite difficult; however, in the mating season, males often develop dark edging on the dorsal and anal fins in addition to a small hump appearing on the back of the head and a yellow-gold coloring of the abdomen, while the jaw becomes reddish. In addition, both sexes lack pelvic fins, and the pectoral fins are almost invisible, but serve as the main tool for locomotion. The color of these fish is very diverse: red, yellow, purple, green, brown, gray or white, as well as with various spots.
This fish is usually quite calm, but it is a predator. She is able to change her color to blend in with her surroundings, and has an advanced form of mimicry that makes her almost indistinguishable from algae or corals.
Habitat
This unusual looking fish is found in Thailand, India, Ceylon and the Malawi Peninsula.She prefers to live in rivers, swamps, both large and small lakes. Marine species are found along the sandy shores, where various corals and algae grow. Some representatives are even found in the waters of the open ocean.
Needlefish is found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is also found in coastal waters from California to Chile in the Pacific Ocean and from Massachusetts to Argentina in the Atlantic Ocean. Needlefish are also found in Mediterranean countries, Japan, India, Australia and other regions.
Reproduction
The spawning process is quite laborious and interesting. The best time for their reproduction is from late spring to early autumn when it rains. The male pipefish will incubate the eggs in his special brood pouch. He attracts the female with a specific dance, after which she lays eggs in the pouch, which are then fertilized.
During the breeding season, one female can lay about a hundred eggs. The fry that hatch on the eighth to tenth day feed on dust particles of animal origin. However, larger babies are able to eat their unhatched siblings.
If you plan to breed these fish, keep in mind that this is not an easy process. The fish reach sexual maturity in the 12th month and require cool water during the mating season, which usually falls during the rainy season. You will have to feed them more than usual and change the water frequently.
Spawning occurs in the morning. The fry need to be given fine food while they are growing, and if some of them do not develop at the same rate, they should be kept separate from their more mature siblings as they will end up eating each other.
Under favorable conditions, needlefish can live up to four years without any diseases.However, if the fish is fed poor quality and spoiled food, it will become infected with parasites. You should also clean your aquarium regularly to prevent further problems.
If you take a fish from its natural habitat and put it in an aquarium, it will experience stress due to the change of scenery. This will cause slime to build up around the mouth and near the rear fin, but this can be avoided by taking some water from the original habitat with you and pouring it into the new tank.
