Red Sea Needlefish

Tylosurus choram

The Red Sea Needlefish is a slender, elongated fish with a bluish hue and a distinctive long, toothed beak. It is commonly found in the Red Sea and coastal waters around the Arabian Peninsula, extending to the Gulf of Oman. Notably, it has also been reported in the eastern Mediterranean, likely via the Suez Canal. This species prefers the surface waters of tropical marine environments, where it is often seen swimming in small schools. As a fast predator, the Red Sea Needlefish is an active swimmer, primarily inhabiting open-water habitats. It is oviparous, with eggs that attach to objects in the water using specialized filaments on their surface. Divers may encounter these fish near the surface, where they are relatively harmless and pose no threat to humans. Although the Red Sea Needlefish is not evaluated by the IUCN Red List, it is considered common in its native range. Its presence at numerous dive sites makes it a frequent sight for divers exploring these regions.