The Atlantic needlefish has a long, narrow body with a greenish back. Its silvery sides have a thin, bluish-silver stripe along each side. (NOAA NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center)
The Atlantic needlefish is a skinny, silvery fish with long, tooth-filled jaws. It lives in the Chesapeake Bay’s shallow waters from spring through autumn.
Appearance:
Long, narrow body with a greenish back
Silvery sides with a thin, bluish-silver stripe along each side
Long, slender jaws filled with tiny teeth
Lower jaw is slightly longer than upper jaw
One dorsal fin located far on the back, close to the tail
Grows to 2 feet long
Habitat:
Found in shallow waters near the shoreline
Often seen at the water’s surface near docks, marshes, beaches and bay grass beds
Range:
Found throughout the Chesapeake Bay from spring through autumn
Ventures up the Bay’s rivers into fresh water
Feeding:
Forages for shrimp and small fish such as killifishes and silversides
Patiently stalks its prey then catches it sideways in its scissor-like jaws.
Predators:
Larger fish
Fish-eating birds such as bald eagles and black skimmers
Bottlenose dolphins
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Spawns in May-June
Females have only one ovary
Her round eggs sink to the bottom, where they attach by adhesive fibers to underwater grass blades and other surfaces
Young needlefish do not have elongated jaws like adults do
Other Facts:
Gets its name from its long, needle-like jaws
Attracted to lights, which is why they often congregate near piers and bridges
Sources and Additional Information:
Fishes of Chesapeake Bay by Edward O. Murdy, Ray S. Birdsong and John A. Musick
