Ponyfish

ponyfish of the family Leiognathidae, are small fish of the Indo-Pacific which often shoal in estuaries and enter fresh water. In life they are coated with slime and on death exude mucus, unattractive characteristics which have earned them the names of ‘slimy’ or ‘soapy’ in S. Africa. A more attractive alternative name, ‘silver-belly’, is self-explanatory.