Ballyhoo Halfbeak
Hemiramphus brasiliensis
Also known as: Baitfish, Balao, Bally, Ballyhoo, Gar, Needlefish, Red-tailed Balao, Yellowtail Ballyhoo
- Baitfish
- Balao
- Bally
- Ballyhoo
- Gar
- Needlefish
- Red-tailed Balao
- Yellowtail Ballyhoo
Overview
Found in large schools, over very shallow, surface waters, above banks, reef flats, and seagrass beds, of coral reefs. Varies in colour with the light reflection.
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!
How to identify
- Pattern
- stripesyellow stripe
- Fins & Tail
- yellow fins
- Behaviour
- leaps from waterschooling
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean, Eastern Atlantic
- Country only · 1
Found in large schools, over very shallow, surface waters, above banks, reef flats, and seagrass beds, of coral reefs.
Adult photos 1
Discussion
No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.
Deep dive
More in the family
Halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae)




