Description

Also known as Coral Reef Halfbeak, Garfish, Insular Halfbeak, Needlefish, Tropical Garfish.

Found in large schools, over the surface of lagoons, and seaward reefs, around islands, and coral reefs.
They feed on small fish and zooplankton.
Length - 38cm
Depth - 0-6m
Widespread Indo-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/7710