Red Sea houndfish (Tylosurus choram)

Latin name

Tylosurus choram

Other name

Tylosurus choram

Identification

Tylosurus: Greek, tylos = callus + Greek, oura = tail.

The species name "choram" is Arabic for needlefish.

The Red Sea houndfish has a long, slender body and a pointed beak with long teeth.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 24; Anal soft rays: 19 - 22.

Fish colouring

The body of the Red Sea houndfish is bluish in color.

Distribution

Widespread in most temperate and warm seas and sometimes in rivers, abundant in the Red Sea. Occupies the Red Sea and coastal waters from the Arabian Peninsula to the Gulf of Oman, in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel. 

Habitat

Marine pelagic-oceanic fish. Its depth range is 0 - ? m.

Size

The maximum length of males of this species is 120 cm and the total length is 70.0 cm.

Behavior

Red Sea houndfish usually swim in small schools near the surface.

Food and feeding habits

Fast predators. Feeds on small fish swimming near the surface.

Reproduction

It is an egg-laying species, the eggs are attached to objects in the water by threads that cover the outer layer of the egg.

Fishing

This species is commercially important for fishing.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.