slipmouth

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slipmouth

fish

Also known as: Leiognathidae, ponyfish, slimy

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Also called:: ponyfishes or slimys

Related Topics:: bioluminescence; marine bioluminescence; Leiognathus equula; Leiognathus klunzingeri; Percoidea

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slipmouth, any of certain fishes (order Perciformes) that are characterized by slimy bodies with small scales and greatly protrusible mouths. The presence of luminescent bacteria cultured within an organ surrounding the esophagus causes the bodies of slipmouths to glow. They derive their name from the small but extendable mouth that slips out during feeding. The 3 genera and about 30 species are restricted to salt or brackish waters in the Indo-Pacific region.

Slipmouth are small, deep-bodied, compressed fishes that usually attain lengths of less than 15 cm (6 inches). Leiognathus equula, the largest species, reaches 30 cm (12 inches). Slipmouth are abundant in shallow coastal waters and are widely used for food. One species, L. klunzingeri, is one of only two dozen Red Sea fishes known to have traversed the Suez Canal and successfully established populations in the Mediterranean Sea.

This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.