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Kapuas halfbeak (Hemirhamphodon kapuasensis) — Zenarchopteridae

Kapuas halfbeak

Hemirhamphodon kapuasensis

The Kapuas halfbeak (Hemirhamphodon kapuasensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Zenarchopteridae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–? m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Kapuas halfbeak is a halfbeak (Hemiramphidae) from shallow coastal, estuarine or fresh water of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 15 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 just below the surface and snaps at insects falling on the water, larvae, drifting algae and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kapuas halfbeak?

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

Where does the Kapuas halfbeak live?

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

How big does the Kapuas halfbeak get?

The Kapuas halfbeak grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Kapuas halfbeak dangerous to humans?

No, the Kapuas halfbeak is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kapuas-zoetwaterhalfsnavel sourced
English name
Kapuas halfbeak sourced
Scientific name
Hemirhamphodon kapuasensis
Family
Zenarchopteridae

Appearance

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

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
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Hemirhamphodon

More from the family Zenarchopteridae

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