DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

HEMIRAMPHIDAE (HALFBEAKS)

Hemiramphus sp. (Halfbeak; Hankut)
(photo: 15 cm SL, Oahu, Hawaii)

Halfbeaks get their name from their greatly extended lower jaw which resembles an inverted marlin’s bill.  They are surface-dwelling omnivores that feed on floating algae, zooplankton, and small fishes.  Most species occur in schools in inshore waters, but a few are primarily open ocean fishes. Hemiramphus archipelagicus is a common, reef-associated species that is sometimes taken with hook and line.

INDO-PACIFIC: E. Africa to Samoa, s. to Tonga.