LEIOGNATHIDAE Equulites leuciscus, 4.5 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Equulites leuciscus (Günther,1860) Whipfin Ponyfish D VIII, 15-16 (usually 16); A III, 14; P1 16-19; LL 55-68; GR 5-7 + 12-15 = 17-22; V 10+14. Body oblong, somewhat elongate, compressed; dorsal and ventral profiles similarly convex. Mouth protruding downwards, with small slender teeth on both jaws; ventral profile of lower jaw slightly concave or almost straight. Cheek naked; breast completely scaled laterally with narrow naked area ventrally. Second dorsal fin spine distinctly elongated, filamentous, second anal fin spine also elongated in adults. Color: body brownish silver dorsally, brilliant silvery-white ventrally; irregular oblique dark lines dorsolaterally on body. Size: maximum length about 12 cm SL. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific, from eastern Africa to Australia, northward to southern Japan. Invaded into Mediterranean through Suez Channel. Remarks: usually found in shallow waters. Feeds on small crustaceans and polychaetes. Marketed fresh or dried.