Hemiramphus lutkei Valenciennes, 1847
Lutke's halfbeak
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks)
Max. size:  40 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range - 0 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: ranging eastward to the Gilbert Islands and Samoa, north to southern Japan. Confused with Hemiramphus archipelagicus under the name Hemiramphus marginatus by many authors (Ref. 10943).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 10-13; Vertebrae: 52-57. Greatly prolonged, beak-like lower jaw; upper jaw short, triangular and without scales; preorbital ridge absent; total number of gill rakers on first gill arch 33-46; pectoral fins long, reaching beyond anterior margin of nasal pit when folded forward; no spots or vertical bars on sides.
Biology:  Inhabits coastal waters rich in vegetation (Ref. 5213). Found more offshore than other species of Hemiramphus in the western central Pacific; juveniles and immature individuals are relatively common far from shore, usually among floating plants (Ref. 9843). Caught by set-net.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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