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Onetooth halfbeak (Hyporhamphus unicuspis) — Hemiramphidae

Onetooth halfbeak

Hyporhamphus unicuspis
Family: Hemiramphidae

The Onetooth halfbeak (Hyporhamphus unicuspis) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiramphidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
31.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Onetooth halfbeak is a halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a very slender, silvery body in which the lower jaw is extended into a long, needle-like beak while the upper jaw is short. As a surface fish it swims in schools just below the surface and snaps at drifting algae, insects fallen on the water, larvae and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Onetooth halfbeak?

The Onetooth halfbeak has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Onetooth halfbeak live?

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

How big does the Onetooth halfbeak get?

The Onetooth halfbeak grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.

Is the Onetooth halfbeak dangerous to humans?

No, the Onetooth halfbeak is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Eentand-halfsnavel sourced
English name
Onetooth halfbeak sourced
Scientific name
Hyporhamphus unicuspis
Family
Hemiramphidae
Other names
Simpletooth halfbeak verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
31.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hyporhamphus

More from the family Hemiramphidae

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