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Pacific halfbeak (Hyporhamphus pacificus) — Hemiramphidae

Pacific halfbeak

Hyporhamphus pacificus
Family: Hemiramphidae

The Pacific halfbeak (Hyporhamphus pacificus) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiramphidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Hawaii

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Description

The Pacific halfbeak is a halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a short upper jaw and a strongly elongate, beak-like lower jaw. As a surface schooling fish it swims just below the water surface and eats floating seagrass, algae and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pacific halfbeak?

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

Where does the Pacific halfbeak live?

The Pacific halfbeak lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Hawaii

How big does the Pacific halfbeak get?

The Pacific halfbeak grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Pacific halfbeak dangerous to humans?

No, the Pacific halfbeak is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Pacific halfbeak sourced
Scientific name
Hyporhamphus pacificus
Family
Hemiramphidae
Other names
Acute halfbeak sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.4 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
Max depth (m)
1.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Hawaii sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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