Longtom - Barred

Dispatch Method:

Beware of the sharp teeth of long toms when handling them. The eating qualities of these fish can be improved by killing them humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head, before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.

Fish Description:

• Long toms, also known as needlefishes, are elongate, thin fishes with mouths filled with many sharp, needle-like teeth. These are used to grasp prey items which include smaller fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.
  
• The barred long tom is bluish green above, white below and has up to 14 dark vertical bars along its silvery sides, the bars being most prominent posteriorly.
  
• This species also has a black lobe on the rear of the dorsal fin, while the flesh and bones are usually greenish in colour.

Fish Distribution:

• This species occurs worldwide throughout tropical and warm temperate regions.
  
• They frequent estuaries and coastal waters as well as shallow sand and reef flats at depths between 1 and 50 meters.
  
• They are often caught at night around artificial lights.

Fish Size Common Length:

Common between 40 and 80 cm, maximum size around 150 cm (5 feet) and 4 kg (8 pounds).