Leiognathidae, the ponyfishes, slipmouths or slimys / slimies, are a small family of fishes in the order Perciformes. [4] . They inhabit marine and brackish waters in the Indian and West Pacific Oceans. They can be used in the preparation of bagoong. Ponyfishes are small and laterally compressed in shape, with a bland, silvery colouration.

Leiognathus equula, [3] the common ponyfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a ponyfish from the family Leiognathidae. It occurs in brackish and marine waters from East Africa to Fiji in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, Red Sea and Persian Gulf.

It is also known from muddy river mouths and sometimes ascends into freshwaters. The Common Ponyfish is silvery with a brown saddle on the caudal peduncle. It has faint bars on the back and sometimes a dark blotch on the forehead. The anal fin is yellowish.

Ponyfishes are bottom-living fishes in shallow coastal waters. They feed on copepods and phytoplankton, with large fishes feeding predominantly on benthic invertebrates. There are 9 genera and about 48 species of Leiognathidae worldwide. Malaysia has about 22 species.

While the reason for the light organ is unclear, this synchronized behavior suggests it may serve to avoid predators, attract prey, space individuals within the school, or serve as sex-specific signaling. The body of the Ponyfish is covered in small scales, however the head is usually naked. The upper surface of the head has several bony ridges.

Leiognathus equula, the common ponyfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a ponyfish from the family Leiognathidae. It occurs in brackish and marine waters from East Africa to Fiji in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, Red Sea and Persian Gulf.

Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and East Africa (including Reunion, Comoros, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius) to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Australia. Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15.

The name “Ponyfish” derives from the Greek word “leios,” meaning smooth, and “gnathos,” meaning jaw. This name reflects their notable smooth, flat bodies and unique jaw structure.

The ponyfish is a small, silvery fish that belongs to the family Leiognathidae. Typically found in shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region, it has adapted well to a variety of coastal and estuarine habitats.

Body silvery; live or fresh specimens with a golden gleam. Head naked; with nuchal spine. Protracted mouth pointing downward. Scales minute. 2nd dorsal spine less than 1/3 of body depth. Lives in shallow waters down to depths of about 40 m, predominantly near the bottom, found in schools.