| Family: |
Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks) |
| Max. size: |
55 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 200.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea (Ref. 3723); absent in Bermuda. Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde and Dakar, Senegal to Luanda, Angola (Ref. 4497). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal soft rays: 12-13. No ridge between nostril and eye (Ref. 26938). |
| Biology: |
An inshore, surface-dwelling species forming sizeable schools (Ref. 3723). Feeds mainly on sea grasses and small fishes (Ref. 3723). Mainly used as bait for offshore game fishes such as sailfishes and marlins; utilized as a food fish in the West Indies (Ref. 3723). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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