Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 23-26; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 24-28.
Body elongate and greatly compressed laterally. Upper and lower jaws greatly elongated into a “beak” and with many small sharp teeth. Anterior parts of dorsal and anal fins 
with high falcate lobes, and an elevated black lobe on the posterior part of the dorsal fin. Pectoral fins falcate. Caudal fin deeply forked, lower lobe much longer than 
upper. Body covered with numerous, minute scales.
Colour. Bluish green dorsally, a broad dark blue stripe along sides and a silvery-white belly. 12-14 dark vertical bars along the sides and black blotches along middle of 
body. Tip of lower jaw red.
 

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 140cm TL.
 

A pelagic species inhabiting offshore surface waters; inshore occurrences seem to be more frequent around islands (depth 0-12m, usually 0-3m). Sometimes forming large schools.
Hunts just below the surface feeding mainly on small fish. Oviparous.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery and by trolling but is an uncommon component of the catch.

Bray, D.J.  Ablennes hians in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2090 (07/11/18)
Collette, B. et al. (2015). Ablennes hians. The IUCN Red List 2015: e.T13486514A15603320. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T13486514A15603320.en. (06/11/18).
EOL (2018).  Ablennes hians Barred Longtom http://eol.org/pages/210309/overview (06/11/18).
Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds), (1984).  FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and printed with the 
support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, vols 1-6.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/972 (16/09/18)
Van der Elst, R. (2012). A Guide to the Common Sea Fishes of Southern Africa. Studiographix (Pty) Ltd. Cape Town.   

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Ablennes hians, Flat needlefish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/ablennes-hians-valenciennes-1846/ (edited 19/06/22).