Hemiramphus balao

Description :

Hemiramphus balao

Photographed at: Freeport - Bahamas, May 2012

Also known as Garfishes, Balao Halfbeak and Slender Halfbeak.

Found singly or in small groups near surface of lagoons and seaward reefs, often round islands and curious of divers.

They feed on small surface fish.

Varies in colour with the light reflection.
Length - 35cm
Depth - 0-10m
Widespread Western Atlantic & Caribbean

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!

From: What's that Fish