Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
Hound Needlefish Tylosurus crocodiles
Rendered almost invisible by its silvery color and needle-like shape, the hound needlefish swims along just beneath the surface, hunting for other fish that also live over coral reefs. The hound needlefish's long, thin snout is shaped like a spear, and it has been known to puncture small boats and cause severe injury to people by shooting up into the air when frightened. Although edible, the hound needlefish is not popular as a food fish because it has green-colored flesh.
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- Order Beloniformes
- Length Up to 5 ft (1.5 m)
- Weight Up to 14 lb (6.5 kg)
- Depth 0–43 ft (0–13 m)
- Distribution Tropical waters over coral reefs worldwide
