Home · Zenarchopteridae · Liem's halfbeak
Liem's halfbeak (Nomorhamphus liemi) — Zenarchopteridae

Liem's halfbeak

Nomorhamphus liemi
LC · Least Concern

The Liem's halfbeak (Nomorhamphus liemi) is a freshwater fish of the family Zenarchopteridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Liem's halfbeak is a small, livebearing halfbeak endemic to mountain streams of southern Sulawesi in Indonesia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate body with a short, fleshy, often red-black lower-jaw appendage, unlike the long lower jaw of many halfbeaks. It swims just below the surface and grabs insects that fall onto the water. Females give birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans, occurs in the aquarium trade and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Liem's halfbeak?

The Liem's halfbeak has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Liem's halfbeak live?

The Liem's halfbeak lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Liem's halfbeak get?

The Liem's halfbeak grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Liem's halfbeak dangerous to humans?

No, the Liem's halfbeak is harmless to humans.

Is the Liem's halfbeak edible?

The Liem's halfbeak is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Liems halfbek verified
English name
Liem's halfbeak verified
Scientific name
Nomorhamphus liemi
Family
Zenarchopteridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Nomorhamphus

More from the family Zenarchopteridae

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