HEMIRAMPHIDAE Halfbeaks By Koichi Shibukawa Dermogenys siamensis Hyporhamphus quoyi Zanarchopterus buffonis Zenarchopterus dunckeri Small to medium sized (up to 45 cm) elongate fishes with long, javelin-like lower jaw, projecting far beyond upper jaw. Body elongate and compressed; lateral line running along ventral margin of body with a branch to origin of pectoral fin. Lower jaw usually long and javelin-like, whereas upper jaw short and triangular; eyes large; several rows of small teeth on jaws; gill rakers 0 - 78. Dorsal and anal fins positioned at posterior part of body; dorsal fin with 8 - 25 soft rays; anal fin with 8 - 19 soft rays; no isolated finlets behind dorsal and anal fins; pectoral fin usually short, with 7 - 14 soft rays; pelvic fins abdominal, with 6 rays; caudal fin rounded, truncate, emarginated or deeply forked. Scales moderately large, cycloid. Color: head and body silvery, darkened dorsally; tip of lower jaw tinged with red or orange in many species; fins hyaline, often with blackish markings. Similar families occurring in the area. Belonidae: usually both jaws elongate; scale small. Exocoetidae: pectoral fin very large; jaws short. Remarks. Chiefly found in marine and brackish waters, whereas some in freshwaters. Surface swimming fishes; omnivorous, feed on floating seagrass pieces, insects, crustaceans, and small fishes. Large species commonly esteemed as food fish, caught by seine and gill nets; some freshwater species often treated as aquarium fish.