HalfbeaksHemiramphidae

Halfbeaks (family Hemiramphidae) are slender, elongated fish characterized by a significantly extended lower jaw and a short, triangular upper jaw. This distinctive jaw structure is reflected in their family name, Hemiramphidae, meaning "half-beak". Most species are silvery, often with a distinct lateral stripe, and possess dorsal and anal fins positioned far back on their bodies. 🌊 Red Sea species typically grow from 10 cm (4 in) to 45 cm (1.5 ft) in length.

They commonly inhabit surface waters over coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy flats, usually found in depths from the surface down to 5 metres (16 ft). Often encountered in schools, halfbeaks feed on zooplankton, small invertebrates, and sometimes seagrass fragments. A notable behaviour involves their ability to skip across the water surface for metres to evade predators.