Depth
Tylosurus · Bony Fish

Agujon Needlefish

Tylosurus acus

0-15m
Depth Range
140cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-15m
Depth Range
140cm
Max Size
Pelagic
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Small groups
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Rare
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Tylosurus
Species acus

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationVery long, slender body with an elongated beak-like jaw filled with small teeth. Blue-green back and bright silver flanks. Tail is deeply forked with the lower lobe longer than the upper.
  • SizeUp to 95 cm total length, commonly 50 to 70 cm.
  • Social HabitOften solitary or in small groups near the surface. May form loose aggregations around floating debris.
  • HabitatSurface waters of the open sea and coastal zones. A pelagic species that stays near the water surface.
  • DepthSurface to 10 m, almost always in the top few metres.
  • Feeds OnSmall fish, particularly anchovies and silversides, caught with rapid sideways strikes of the jaws.
  • DistributionTropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, where it is an uncommon visitor.
  • DescriptionA large needlefish built for speed at the ocean surface. It can leap from the water when startled and has been known to glide considerable distances. In the Mediterranean it is relatively uncommon, making sightings a noteworthy event for divers.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

A surface-dwelling pelagic species found in warm coastal and offshore waters of the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Most commonly encountered near the surface around islands and headlands.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Prefers warm, clear surface waters near current lines and drop-offs. Often spotted by snorkellers and surface-interval divers around rocky coastlines.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Agujon Needlefish species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

A high-speed pursuit predator that targets small to medium schooling fish near the surface. Accelerates rapidly to strike prey from below.

High-speed predator

Reproduction

Spawns in warm coastal waters. Eggs have sticky filaments that attach to floating matter or nearshore vegetation.

Surface spawner

Behaviour & Defence

Can leap from the water at considerable speed when threatened. Due to its size and speed, it should be treated with respect by divers at the surface.

Powerful leaper

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Tylosurus acus may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
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