Species: Tylosurus crocodilus crocodilus, Hound needlefish, Houndfish needlefish, the Houndfish

Tylosurus crocodilus crocodilus (Péron & Lesueur in Lesueur, 1821)

Hound needlefish, Houndfish

Body relatively robust, rounded; beak relatively short, stout and straight, with many long, pointed teeth; front teeth point forwards in juveniles; dorsal rays 21-23 (usually 22-23); anal rays 18-22; front lobes of dorsal + anal fin relatively high (9.4-18.5% and 12.5-18.1%, respectively of body length); pectoral rays 14 or 15; pectoral + pelvic fins relatively long (12.0-15.2% and 9.4-13.7%, respectively of body length); tail fin slightly forked rear edge, lower lobe longer than upper lobe; a prominent raised keel on side of tail base; 240-290 scales before dorsal fin; left gonad smaller than right gonad.

Dark bluish green above, silvery on sides; keel on the base of the tail black.

Size: to 125 cm.

Habitat: inshore, pelagic surface.

Depth: 0-10 m?

Circumtropical, with an Indo-Pacific and Atlantic subspecies: the latter from North Carolina to Brazil.