Marine Fishes :: Halfbeaks & Needlefishes :: Quoy's Halfbeak Blackbarred Halfbeak Striped-nose Halfbeak Hound Needlefish Flat Needlefish Spottail Needlefish

 

Common Name(s): Hound Needlefish
Scientific Name: Tylosurus Crocodilus Crocodilus
Local Name(s): [Hk]Tek Long Song(?), [My]Todak
Precaution: Sharp teeth
Edible: Yes
CNR Time: 30 secs

Needlefish are commonly found along local shorelines as well as offshore reefs. They're primary food would be small baitfishes which they prey near water surface, including halfbeaks. During chases, needlefish can be seen jetting on the surface water for a brief moment. Needlefish found near jetties or places that are commonly fished are generally more caution than offshore ones. They'll inspect your bait carefully and ignores dead baits most of the time. However, they are irresistable to live baits like tambans, prawns and small squids.

When a needlefish takes your bait, it usually holds it in its beak and move a distance away before continue to swallow the bait. Setting your hook when the bait is still in its jaw usually end up with the bait and hook flying back out. This is because the beak is hard and thin, making it difficult for hooks to penetrate. Setting of hook should only be done when the needlefish has swallowed the bait. Do take note that gut hooked needlefish will probably not survive after you've caught it. They can't survive very long without water and the swallowed hook will like injure its internal organs. If the fish is gut hooked and you plan to release it, cut the line and release it back immediately.

Needlefish are very fast swimmers are provide great action on a light tackle. However, their stamina is short-lived. They aren't great eating fish but needlefish fillet are known to be used as bait. Needlefish are often looked upon as pesky fish because they attack your live baits and scare away halfbeaks.

An ugly side of anglers are often observed when the needlefish are caught and left to die with no intention of eating or using the fish. In some cases, anglers break the beaks of the needlefish and throw them back into the sea. Without their beaks, they cannot hunt and are left to die of hunger. Such actions are unncessary and cruel.

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Reference: Fishbase