Flat Needlefish

The flat needlefish (Ablennes hians), also known as the barred longtom, represents the sole species within the genus Ablennes and is classified under the family Belonidae. While these marine fish are often targeted for sport fishing, their unique green-colored flesh results in them being infrequently consumed.

The genus name Ablennes, historically misspelled as Athlennes, translates to ‘without mucosity,’ derived from the Greek prefix "a-" meaning 'without' and "blennos," meaning 'mucus.' The species name "hians" is Latin for "gaping."

Flat needlefish lack spines but possess multiple soft rays, specifically 23-26 on the dorsal fin and 24-28 on the anal fin, accompanied by 86-93 vertebrae. Their dorsal side displays a bluish hue, contrasting with a white ventral surface, and the body is marked with dark blotches and 12-14 vertical bars. These fish exhibit elongated bodies with distinct scythe-shaped pectoral and anal fins, as well as a prominent dark lobe on the posterior part of their dorsal fins. The longest recorded specimen measured 140 cm, excluding the caudal fins and heads due to frequent damage to the elongated jaws. The maximum documented weight for this species is 4.8 kg.

Flat needlefish have a widespread distribution in tropical and temperate marine environments. Their presence in the Eastern Atlantic ranges from Cape Verde and Dakar to Moçamedes in Angola. In the Western Atlantic, they are found from Chesapeake Bay down to 🇧🇷 Brazil. Their range extends throughout the 🌊 Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, from southern 🇯🇵 Japan to 🇦🇺 Australia and Tuvalu. Occasional findings between Syria and 🇮🇱 Israel in the Mediterranean Sea suggest potential migration from the 🌊 Red Sea.

These fish typically inhabit neritic waters near islands, estuaries, and coastal rivers, preying primarily on smaller fish and sometimes forming large schools. Reproductively, flat needlefish lay eggs that attach to floating debris via filaments on the egg surface. In both sexes, only the left gonad is developed, with the male's right gonad sometimes being completely absent.