Overview
Pelagic fish with elongated body and pointed beak. Swims very fast on surface, spectacular fighter.
Identification
Long bodySharp beakBluish reflectionsSmall, transparent finsTiny scalesForked tailSpiny rays in the finsLong, sharp teeth
- Body
- Long and slender body with a pointed beak resembling that of a bird.
- Colouration
- The coloration is usually silvery with bluish reflections, especially on the back, while the belly is lighter.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very evident
- Growth
- Medium; rapidly reaches typical adult sizes.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Belonidae
- Order
- Beloniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Tylosurus crocodilusStrongylura marinaAblennes hiansBelone svetovidoviTylosurus acusXenentodon cancila
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock
- Geographic distribution
- Found in all temperate European seas, including the Mediterranean Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean.
- Micro-habitat
- Often hides among algae and also frequents surface waters near the coast.
Prefers the surface waters of the coasts and can be seen zipping near the surface.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu BalticoPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, horned pout, small cephalopods
- Secondary prey
- shrimps, plankton, aquatic insects
- Occasional prey
- fish larvae, planktonic crustaceans
- Feeding behaviour
- Hunts effectively at the surface, often leaping out of the water to catch its prey.
- Natural predators
- tuna, swordfish, seabirds, sharks
The needlefish favors small-sized prey and hunts using speed and agility.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- The species may undertake seasonal migrations, moving to warmer waters in winter.
- Seasonal behaviour
- In summer, it comes closer to the coasts, while in winter it tends to live further offshore.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to live closer to shore and often form small schools.
- Adults
- Adults prefer to live in small groups, moving near the surface.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- April, May, June
- Spawning depth
- between 1 and 5 meters
- Eggs
- The eggs are pelagic and reach 3 mm in diameter, floating on the water's surface.
- Larval stage
- The larvae are typically pelagic and initially resemble little to the adults.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Garfish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, mattino, tramonto
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active on surface, visible jumps and hunting.
Medium
Present and active, good reactivity.
High
Less visible, moves away from coast.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
coastal waterspiersnatural barriersports
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
rod fishingspinningtrollingnet fishing
Other applicable
Pesca A BombardaSpinningPesca A GalleggianteBeach FishingSabiki RigsPesca A Mosca In MareSpinning UltraleggeroSpinning LeggeroStreamerBologneseBolognese LeggeraSurfcasting Leggero
Recommended baits
live fishspinning lurefeathersea worms
Baits by pressure
Low
Needlefish / Aguglia artificialePiuma biancaFeather jigPiuma colorataPopper piccoloSabiki standardSoftbait piccolo / LRF
Medium
Acciuga vivaPesciolino vivoSardina viva
High
Acciuga vivaNeedlefish / Aguglia artificialePesciolino vivo
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Offers lively resistance and makes spectacular leaps out of the water.
- Handling
- Handling should be gentle to avoid breaking the beak.
- Release
- Ensure to release the animal carefully, preferably in clean and stable waters.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The world all-tackle IGFA record for the needlefish is 1.43 kg caught in the Sea of Marmara in Turkey in 2000. In Italy, it is known that the needlefish can reach over 90 cm in length, but typically individuals between 50 and 70 cm are caught. In the Adriatic Sea, superb catches exceed one kilogram in weight.
- In the kitchen
- In cooking, it is often grilled or fried. It is appreciated for its delicate flavor and tender meat.
- Cultural notes
- The needlefish has been mentioned in several marine literature texts for its peculiar appearance.
- Historical notes
- Historically fished by the ancient Romans and present in local markets due to its ease of catch.
