Black-barred halfbeak (Hemiramphus far) is a saltwater, brackish species recorded in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 0–6 m. The main season in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia runs spring, summer.
Scientific name: Hemiramphus far · Water: Saltwater, Brackish · Season: Spring, Summer
Size: up to 45 cm
The black-barred halfbeak is a hemiramphid that schools over vegetation-rich coastlines and sand flats, usually in only 0 to 6 m - very shallow water. Its range is the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to northern Australia and New Caledonia, and it has migrated into the eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Adults feed mainly on seagrasses, and to a lesser extent on green algae and diatoms; it breeds in estuaries. Commonly about 30 cm and up to 45 cm total length, maturing at about 23.1 cm and living 4 years. In season in summer. The meat is tasty, and it is sold fresh and dried salted, as well as taken by dragnets and dipnets.
Back to home · Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia · Species library