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Bermuda halfbeak (Hemiramphus bermudensis) — Hemiramphidae

Bermuda halfbeak

Hemiramphus bermudensis
Family: Hemiramphidae

The Bermuda halfbeak (Hemiramphus bermudensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiramphidae that grows up to 44 cm.

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

Description

The Bermuda halfbeak is a halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) from the open surface water of the western Atlantic, around Bermuda. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender, silvery, torpedo-shaped body with a strongly extended lower jaw forming a needle-like beak, while the upper jaw stays short. As a schooling surface fish it swims just below the waterline and snaps at drifting seagrass, small zooplankton and insects. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bermuda halfbeak?

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

Where does the Bermuda halfbeak live?

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

How big does the Bermuda halfbeak get?

The Bermuda halfbeak grows to a maximum of about 44 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Bermuda halfbeak dangerous to humans?

No, the Bermuda halfbeak is harmless to humans.

Is the Bermuda halfbeak edible?

Yes, the Bermuda halfbeak is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bermuda-halfsnavel sourced
English name
Bermuda halfbeak sourced
Scientific name
Hemiramphus bermudensis
Family
Hemiramphidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
44.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Hemiramphus

More from the family Hemiramphidae

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