Scientific Name
Platybelone argalus platyura  
Pronounce  
Platybelone argalus platyura寬尾鶴鱵
by: Lab of Fish Ecol. and Evo., BRCAS
Author (Bennett, 1832) Depth 0 - 10M
Chinese 寬尾鶴鱵 Poisonous Fish No 
Family_Chinese 鶴鱵科 Economic Fish No 
Family F255 Belonidae Edible Fish Yes  Chinese In Mainland China 東非寬尾頜針魚 
Max Length 38.2 cm  Aquarium Fish No  Common Name 青旗、學仔、白天青旗 
Distribution in World India Ocean to West Pacific Ocean   Distribution in Taiwan East、South、North 
Habitats Ocean、Coral、Coastal  Holotype Locality Mauritius, Mascarenes, southwestern Indian Ocean 
Synonyms Belone carinata, Belone dorsalis, Belone persimilis, Belone platyura, Esox teatae, Platybelone aegulus platyura, Platybelone argala platyura, Platybelone argalus, Platybelone dorsalis, Platybelone platyura   
Reference 臺灣魚類誌(沈等, 1993);The Live Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific, Vol.4(FAO,1999);(FAO, 2002)  沈世傑 編 Shih-Chieh Shen ed. 1993 Carpenter, K. E. etc. 1999 
Specimen List ASIZP0070371. ASIZP0916896. FRIP21267. NMMSTP00862. NTMP1279. NTOU-AE6017.  
Common Name Needlefish; Keeltail needlefish; Longtom; Flat-tailed needle fish; Keeled needlefish 
Redlist Status NL Not in IUCN Redlist     
Characteristic Body elongate, rounded in cross-section. Upper and especially lower jaws greatly elongate and studded with fine teeth. Gill rakers present. Anterior parts of dorsal and anal fins not forming prominent lobes; dorsal-fin rays few, 12 to 15; anal-fin rays 15 to 20; pectoral fin not falcate, pectoral-fin rays 10 to 12; caudal peduncle greatly depressed with very large lateral keels; caudal fin forked, upper and lower lobes of about equal length. Predorsal scales comparatively few and large, 108 to 120. Body bluish green above, silvery below; a dark blue stripe along sides; fins unpigmented; scales and bones green.
habitats Inhabits offshore surface waters but is particularly abundant around islands. Probably the most common needlefish of reef flats, lagoons and bays where it occurs in groups of a few to several dozen. Carnivorous, feeding mainly on small fishes. 
Distribution Widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ogasawara Islands. Throughout Micronesia. It is found in eastern and southern Taiwanese waters. 
Utility Marketed fresh.