Scientific Name
Rhynchorhamphus malabaricus

Common Name
Malabar halfbeak

Biology
Inshore species. Feeds mainly on Cymodocea and green algae but may also take diatoms and polychaetes. Catches are sun-dried.

Classification

Classified By

Collette, 1976

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Needle fishes (Beloniformes)

Family

Halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Indian Ocean

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: southern India to Sri Lanka.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic-neritic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-neritic

Trophic Level

2.23 s.e. 0.11 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

35.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (23 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated