Freshwater Longtom

Interesting Info

• The Freshwater longtom is found in coastal rivers, creeks, and lagoons of northern Australia, from Queensland across the Northern Territory to northern Western Australia. The species also occurs in New Guinea.
• Its body is silvery-grey with a greenish back, and it has an extremely long, beak-like jaw lined with sharp teeth — perfectly designed for grabbing fast-moving prey.
• Unlike many other needlefishes, which are strictly marine, this species thrives in freshwater habitats, often far inland, though it can tolerate brackish water as well.
• Freshwater Longtoms are powerful predators, feeding mainly on smaller fish and crustaceans, which they chase down with bursts of speed.
• They often hunt near the surface, where their streamlined bodies and long jaws help them strike with precision.
• Their camouflage — silvery sides and darker backs — makes them hard to see from above or below.
• Breeding occurs in the wet season, when adults spawn in rivers and floodplain lagoons. Females release eggs with sticky filaments that attach to vegetation until hatching.
• Juveniles grow quickly in floodplain wetlands before moving back into rivers.
• The lifespan is not well studied but is thought to be 6–10 years, based on growth studies of related species.