Euleptorhamphus viridis (van Hasselt, 1823)
Ribbon halfbeak
Euleptorhamphus viridis
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks)
Max. size:  53 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 1 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii (Ref. 583) and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to Australia, New Zealand and Kermadec Islands (Ref. 8879). Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands (Ref. 2850).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-25; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 20-25; Vertebrae: 70-75. Body very elongate; lower jaw very prolonged; upper jaw short, triangular, and scaly; teeth present on vomer and tongue; dorsal fin with 22 to 25 rays; anal fin with 22 to 24 rays; pectoral fins long, with 8 or 9 rays; back iridescent blue green; belly silvery (Ref. 55763). Fins unpigmented (Ref. 4164).
Biology:  Usually oceanic but enters large open bays (Ref. 2850). Found around islands (Ref. 9306). Capable of jumping out of the water and gliding above the surface (Ref. 9306).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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