Animalia Life
Macroramphosus scolopax
FAMILY
Macroramphosidae
TAXONOMY
Balistes scolopax Linnaeus, 1758, Mediterranean Sea.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body is compressed laterally, with an elongated, tubular snout
that terminates in a small upturned mouth lacking teeth. Eyes
are round and large, with a single nostril on each side. Two
dorsal fins, originating far posteriorly. First dorsal has extremely
elongated and serrated second spine (four to eight spines, with
each spine about as long as the snout); second dorsal fin has
soft rays (10–14). Anal fin has 19–21 rays, pectoral fin has
18–21 rays, and pelvic fins have a single spine and four rays.
Scales are very small. Pinkish or reddish dorsally; color fades to
silvery on the sides. Reaches 9.1 in (23 cm) in total length.
DISTRIBUTION
Distributed worldwide, mostly in temperate latitudes.
HABITAT
Present mostly on the continental shelf in depths ranging from
164–902 ft (50–275 m). Juveniles are more pelagic, whereas
adults are more demersal.
BEHAVIOR
Forms large schools, mostly while juvenile. Individuals may
hover with their mouths pointing down toward the substrate,
remaining in a stationary position.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds on invertebrates, including copepods and other crustaceans,
mollusk larvae, foraminifera, polychaete eggs, and
mysids. Preyed upon by larger fishes, including tunas and blue
sharks.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Eggs and larvae are pelagic, as are juveniles until they reach
about 2 in (5 cm) in length. Adults are more demersal. In the
eastern Atlantic, snipefish spawn on the continental shelf, over
seamounts, and near islands between October and March. Larvae
and juveniles remain in the surface layers during the day
but migrate vertically to deeper water at night. At about 2 in
(5 cm), some three months old, individuals move closer to the
bottom.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Not very important commercially, although it is consumed in
the eastern Atlantic. This species has been kept in public
aquaria.
Photo Gallery of - Longspine snipefish
