Karalla daura (Cuvier, 1829)
Goldstripe ponyfish
Karalla daura
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Leiognathidae (Slimys, slipmouths, or ponyfishes), subfamily: Gazzinae
Max. size:  14 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 40 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Gulf of Aden, along the coasts of India and Sri Lanka; including Pakistan, eastwards to the Philippines (Ref. 4537); probably not reaching Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-15. Description: Body silvery; dorsal greenish grey with vermiculations faint; stripe on lateral line broad yellow; dorsal fin spinous portion (2nd to 6th spines) with spot blotch. Head naked; with nuchal spine. Body compressed and ovate; depth max 2.0-2.5 in SL. Breast scaleless. Pectoral axil black. Protracted mouth pointing downward. (Ref. 2108, 90102)
Biology:  Found in shallow waters, predominantly over muddy bottoms (Ref. 30573). Usually occurs in schools. Feeds on polychaetes, bivalves, small crustaceans and sponges (Ref. 30573).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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