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Threespot halfbeak (Hemiramphus robustus) — Hemiramphidae

Threespot halfbeak

Hemiramphus robustus
Family: Hemiramphidae

The Threespot halfbeak (Hemiramphus robustus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Hemiramphidae that grows up to 32 cm.

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

Description

The Threespot halfbeak is a halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) from the open surface water of the Indo-West Pacific. 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 Threespot halfbeak?

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

Where does the Threespot halfbeak live?

The Threespot halfbeak lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Threespot halfbeak get?

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

Is the Threespot halfbeak dangerous to humans?

No, the Threespot halfbeak is harmless to humans.

Is the Threespot halfbeak edible?

Yes, the Threespot halfbeak is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stevige halfsnavel sourced
English name
Threespot halfbeak sourced
Scientific name
Hemiramphus robustus
Family
Hemiramphidae
Other names
Garfish; Northern garfish; Robust garfish 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
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish 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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