| Family: |
Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks) |
| Max. size: |
53 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 1 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii (Ref. 583) and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to Australia, New Zealand and Kermadec Islands (Ref. 8879). Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands (Ref. 2850). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-25; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 20-25; Vertebrae: 70-75. Body very elongate; lower jaw very prolonged; upper jaw short, triangular, and scaly; teeth present on vomer and tongue; dorsal fin with 22 to 25 rays; anal fin with 22 to 24 rays; pectoral fins long, with 8 or 9 rays; back iridescent blue green; belly silvery (Ref. 55763). Fins unpigmented (Ref. 4164). |
| Biology: |
Usually oceanic but enters large open bays (Ref. 2850). Found around islands (Ref. 9306). Capable of jumping out of the water and gliding above the surface (Ref. 9306). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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