Description

Also known as Albino Halfbeak, Freshwater Halfbeak, Gold Wrestling Halfbeak, Halfbeak, Halfbeak Fish, Malayan Halfbeak, Needle Gar, Platinum Halfbeak, Red Halfbeak, Silver Wrestling Halfbeak.

Found in schools, on the surface of sluggish flowing and stagnant waters with floating plants, in canals, drains, estuaries, flooded fields, lakes, ponds, rivers but rarely in the sea.
They feed on crustaceans, terrestrial insects and worms.
Length - 16cm
Depth - 0-?m
Asia - Indonesia, Java

This fish is known as a fighting fish and in native countries, people will bet on the outcome of fights between two males (Hence the name)!

Needlefish hunt smaller fish just below the surface of the sea, but in turn the are also hunted by larger fish like Tuna and can sometimes be seen leaping into the air and seeming to skip along on their tails on the surface of the water to escape predators.
Potentially dangerous at night when attracted to light as they leap out of the water and have been known to cause fatalities with their beaks! Ref: https://www.fishbase.de/summary/11298