Needlefish

1 Breed Profile

The Needlefish is native to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia in southern Asia, but is now endangered. Its body is slender, like a silver rod, hence ‘Needlefish’; its mouth protrudes, formed by elongated premaxilla and lower jaw into a thin sharp beak, hence ‘Needlefish’.

Chinese name: Needlefish

Binomial: Xenentodon cancila

Also known as: Rocketfish, Odd-tooth Needlefish, Pencilfish

Binomial: Xenentodon cancila

Kingdom: Animalia

Order: Beloniformes

Suborder: Exocoetoidei

Family: Belonidae

Genus: Xenentodon

English name: Neddle Fish

2 Appearance

Fierce though small, not suited to community tanks. Now endangered, we know it from records. The body is slender, like a silver rod, hence ‘Needlefish’ (Neddle Fish); laterally compressed, back and belly edges nearly straight and parallel. Head long, top flat. Snout very protruding, formed by elongated premaxilla and lower jaw into a thin, sharp beak.

3 Husbandry

Endangered, but if you keep one, providing suitable water is key; suggested temperature 22-26 C.

Native to brackish water, so add salt: 5 g per 10 L. Likes weakly alkaline water. Cover the tank to prevent jumping when startled. Likes densely planted tanks; keep alone or with large fish. Suggested pH 6.0-6.5, hardness 5-10 dGH.

4 Feeding

Shape is special, slender with protruding snout. Adults about 30 cm. Endangered, needs experience. What to feed?

Fierce carnivore; not for community tanks. Feed small fish, bloodworms, live food. Cover the tank to prevent jumping when startled.