Has anyone ever seen a fish that looked like a needle?

Question

When I was in the Navy back when I saw a fish that was about a foot long. Had a bulbous head and a long slender body, it was white or silverish in color. Two big eyes on the sides, only about a foot long, but for the life of me, it reminded me of a needle. The body had no fins that I could see and was straight and fairly stiff. The tail came to a point, just like a needle. I have always wondered what it was called? I have never seen pictures of it anywhere, not even on Discovery Channel. Does anyone have a clue what it was?

Answer 1

if you are in the UK it was probably a garfish. No idea what other countries that they appear in though. Looking down on them the tail is not visible.

Is this the one ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garfish

Answer 2

Gars are long and thin, but I think you're describing something else here.  I recall seeing something like what you're describing on a TV show, but I live about as far away from the ocean as one can so I'm afraid I'm little help.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Family Belonidae - Needlefishes

Distribution: Marine and freshwater. Tropical and temperate waters. Diagnostic Features: Elongate fishes with both upper and lower jaws extended into long beaks filled with sharp teeth (except in neotenic Belonion); nostrils in a pit anterior to eyes. No spines in fins; dorsal and anal fins posterior in position; pectoral fins short. Dorsal fin with 11-43 rays; anal fin with 12-39 rays, pelvic fins, with 6 soft rays, are located in an abdominal position; and pectoral fins with 5-15 rays. Lateral line running down from pectoral fin origin and then along ventral margin of body. Scales small, cycloid, easily detached. Precaudal vertebrae 33-65, caudal vertebrae 19-41 and total vertebrae 52-97. Colour: These fishes live at the surface and are protectively colored for this mode of life by being green or blue on the back and silvery white on the lower sides and belly. Usually, a dusky or dark blue stripe along sides; fleshy tip of lower jaw frequently red or orange. Some fresh water needlefishes reach only 6 or 7 cm in total length while some marine species may attain 2 m.

more info in the provided link

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySu...

this is a news report of a needle fish  stabs diver to death;

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/22...

Answer 4

We call them Gars or needlefish.I've seen them in fresh and salt water.

Answer 5

It was called "window pane".  LOL

Answer 6

Just a guess... mother hagfish.

Answer 7

Maybe it's a Needlefish!