keeltail needlefish
Platybelone argalus
Elongated fish of shallow waters near reefs and islands, from Brazil to the Caribbean and Mexico. It serves as food in subsistence fishing.
Also called: agulha-de-quilha, agulha, agujón de quilla, keeltail needlefish
- maximum
- 50 cm
- depth
- 0–2 m
who is the keeltail needlefish
The keeled needlefish belongs to the needlefish family (Belonidae) and reaches 50 cm. It has a very elongated, rounded body and lives in very shallow waters, from 0 to 2 m, near reefs and islands. It forms schools in sheltered parts of the reef and mainly eats small fish. The eggs have filaments on the surface that attach them to objects in the water. It poses no danger to the angler, and the species serves as food in subsistence fishing.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the keeltail needlefish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- The eggs have filaments on the surface that attach them to objects in the water.
identification
Very elongated, rounded body, with long jaws shaped like a beak full of teeth. The trait that separates this species from other needlefish is the lateral keel on the tail stock, with the lateral line passing below it. It lives in very shallow water, near reefs and islands, in schools.
Loading the next 7 days…
Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America it occurs from Brazil to Mexico and the Caribbean, in shallow waters near reefs and islands. It also ranges from North Carolina, USA, to Brazil.
Habitat: Very shallow waters, from 0 to 2 m, near reefs and islands, in schools.
coast
rules for the keeltail needlefish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It is not dangerous, but the long, toothed beak can cut; handle with care.
in the kitchen
It serves as food in subsistence fishing.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00112, b = 3.05; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
—
sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Platybelone argalus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Platybelone argalusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
