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Flying halfbeak (Euleptorhamphus viridis) — Hemiramphidae

Flying halfbeak

Euleptorhamphus viridis
Family: Hemiramphidae

The Flying halfbeak (Euleptorhamphus viridis) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiramphidae that grows up to 53 cm.

Length
53 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The ribbon halfbeak is a halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species has an exceptionally slender, ribbon-like, silvery body and the strongly elongated lower jaw characteristic of halfbeaks. It is usually oceanic but also enters large, open bays and occurs around islands. It can leap from the water and glide a way above the surface on its long pectoral fins to escape predators. It lives at the surface and feeds on zooplankton and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flying halfbeak?

The Flying halfbeak has a snake-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Flying halfbeak live?

The Flying halfbeak lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Flying halfbeak get?

The Flying halfbeak grows to a maximum of about 53 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Flying halfbeak dangerous to humans?

No, the Flying halfbeak is harmless to humans.

Is the Flying halfbeak edible?

The Flying halfbeak is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lint-halfsnavel sourced
English name
Flying halfbeak verified
Scientific name
Euleptorhamphus viridis
Family
Hemiramphidae
Other names
Garfish; Long-beaked garfish; Longfin garfish; Long-finned garfish; Longfinned halfbeak verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
53.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small 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

Same genus Euleptorhamphus

More from the family Hemiramphidae

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