Pi264 Hyporhamphus xanthopterus (Red-tipped Halfbeak)

Pi264             Hyporhamphus xanthopterus (Red-tipped halfbeak) 

 

Phylum    : Chordata

Class       : Actinopterygii

Order      : Beloniformes

Family    : Hemiramphidae

Genus     : Hyporhamphus

Species    : H. xanthopterus

 

 

Description

Distribution: Fresh waters of Alleppey, South coast of India

 

Morphology: A halfbeak with rounded nasal papilla; 41–53 gillrakers on first arch; upper jaw short, triangular and scaly, its width 0.8–1.0 times in its length; lateral line with one branch ascending towards pactoral fin base; fleshy tip of beak red, fins yellowish. Elongate fishes with a prolonged lower jaw and a short triangular upper jaw. Nostrils in a pit anterior to the eyes. No spines in fins; dorsal and anal fins posterior in position; pelvic fins in abdominal position, with 6 soft rays; pectoral fins usually short. Lateral line running down from pectoral fin origin and then backward along ventral margin of body. Scales moderately large, cycloid (smooth), easily detached The flesh is excellent and halfbeaks are utilized as food in many parts of the world. They are mainly caught with seines and pelagic trawls, and dipnetted under lights at night. They are utilized fresh, dried and smocked.

 

IUCN status: Vulnerable