Flat Needlefish Photos and Species Information for Fish Caught in Mexico
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Flat Needlefish, Barred Needlefish
Agujón
(Ablennes hians)
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Fish Identification Photos: Flat Needlefish or Barred Needlefish, Ablennes hians: The Flat Needlefish is characterized by its overall silver, laterally compressed body, green back, approximately 12 black bars on its sides, white belly, and the distinctive, long, pointed, soft rays of its anal and dorsal fins.
The Flat Needlefish is easier to identify than its close relatives due to these unique fins. The black bars on the sides of the Flat Needlefish are wide, bold, and quite prominent when the fish leaves the water, fade immediately, and will reappear when the fish enters the water again.
The Flat Needlefish is a member of a group of pelagic schooling fish of the Belonidae or Needlefish Family. The Flat Needlefish is found worldwide in tropical waters and is reported to reach 4 feet in length.
In Mexico, the Flat Needlefish or Barred Needlefish is found south of Cedros Island on the Pacific coast, on the Cortez Coast of Baja California south of Loreto, and on the Pacific coast of mainland Mexico south of Mazatlan, including the offshore Tres Marias and Revillagigedo Islands.
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Flat Needlefish or Barred Needlefish, Ablennes hians: Showing some indication of its vertical bars and the yellowish coloring of its dorsal and anal fins. —Photos courtesy John Snow.
Flat Needlefish or Barred Needlefish, Ablennes hians: Caught with Capt. Pata in the panga Salome, at La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, midmorning, in December 2001, in 74-degree water, on the surface utilizing 30-pound test line with a Mustad 92553 hook, size 1/0, on a free-swimming sardina, about 20 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 36 inches, and 4 pounds. The Flat Needlefish likes to make mad, short dashes. Abundant at certain times of the year and can become a major pest at times, as they are excellent bait stealers inflicting major damage and weakening monofilament with their many teeth. The Flat Needlefish or Barred Needlefish is viewed by locals as a pest and a “catch and release”. —Description and photo courtesy John Snow.
Flat Needlefish or Barred Needlefish, Ablennes hians: Photo courtesy John Snow.
Flat Needlefish or Barred Needlefish, Ablennes hians: Photo courtesy John Snow.
Flat Needlefish or Barred Needlefish, Ablennes hians: Thrity-six inches long, caught at Bahia El Rincon, East Cape, Baja Califonria Sur, Mexico, with a sardina bait. "The Flat Needlefish is quite special. In nine years, I have fished in Baja for about 300 days and caught only one so far." —Description and photo courtesy Peter Langstraat. |
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