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Hardhead (Chriodorus atherinoides) — Hemiramphidae

Hardhead

Chriodorus atherinoides
Family: Hemiramphidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hardhead (Chriodorus atherinoides) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Hemiramphidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The hardhead halfbeak is a halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. Unlike most halfbeaks it lacks the elongated lower jaw and has a short, blunt snout. The body is slender, silvery and torpedo-shaped. It forms schools in bays and waterways, especially around seagrass beds. At the surface it feeds on algae, plant matter and small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hardhead?

The Hardhead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Hardhead live?

The Hardhead lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Hardhead get?

The Hardhead grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Hardhead dangerous to humans?

No, the Hardhead is harmless to humans.

Is the Hardhead edible?

The Hardhead is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hardkop-halfsnavel sourced
English name
Hardhead verified
Scientific name
Chriodorus atherinoides
Family
Hemiramphidae
Other names
Hardhead halfbeak; Hardhead Halfbeak verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Hemiramphidae

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