Ballyhoo halfbeak
Halfbeak
Photo Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles
Family Halfbeaks
Scientific Family Hemiramphidae
Scientific Name Hemiramphus brasiliensis
Spanish Name Agujeta brasileña
ITIS# 165460
Tail shape Forked
Bluish on back, silvery on side of head and body, and white ventrally; beak with fleshy red tip; entire top lobe of tail fin yellowish-orange, lower lobe dusky.
Biology
An inshore, surface-dwelling species forming sizeable schools. Feeds mainly on sea grasses and small fishes.
Appearance
Body Shape
Sagittiform
Color
Main Color: Blue-white
Other Color: yellow
Other Color: yellow
Common Body Shape
Arrow-shaped
Pattern
Striped
Length
Avg Length: 14 inches (35 cm)
Max Length: 22 inches (55 cm)
Max Length: 22 inches (55 cm)
Maximum Weight
0.4 lbs (200 g)
Specifications
Handling Concerns
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Conservation Concerns
None
Range in USA
MA-TX
Abundance
Common