Description

Also known as Barred Garfish, Barred Halfbeak, Black-barred Garfish, Needlefish, Spotted Halfbeak.

Found in schools, on the surface of very shallow waters, over sand flats, and seagrass beds, in coastal waters, around mountainous islands, and continental shorelines, rich in vegetation.
They feed on algae and seagrasses.
Length - 45cm
Depth - 0-6m
Widespread Eastern Mediterranean, Indo-West Pacific

Halfbeaks 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.se/summary/Hemiramphus-far.html