Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Scientific Name: Hemiramphus lutkei
English Name: Lutke's halfbeak
Creole Name: Betay
French Name: Demi-bec de Lutke
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
Description:
Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 12-15; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 10-13.
Elongate body. Greatly elongated beak-like lower jaw. Upper jaw short, triangular and scaleless. Dorsal fin with developed anterior lobe. Pectoral fins long, reaching beyond
anterior margin of nasal pit when folded forward. Caudal fin deeply forked, lower lobe longer than upper.
Colour. Dark bluish above, silvery white below, no spots or vertical bars on sides. Beak dark with a bright orange-red underside and fleshy tip.
Size:
Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 40cm SL. Commonly to 25cm SL.
Habitat and Ecology:
Inhabits coastal waters rich in vegetation (depth 0-?m), but is typically further offshore than other species of Hemiramphus. Juveniles and immature individuals are
relatively common far from shore, usually among floating plants.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in net fisheries, but is an uncommon component of the catch.
Notes:
First documented in Seychelles, 01/09/18, John Nevill.
References:
Collette, B.B. & J. Su, (1986). The halfbeaks (Pisces, Beloniformes, Hemiramphidae) of the Far East. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 138(1):250-301.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/7709 (27/07/19).
Citation:
Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Hemiramphus lutkei, Lutke's halfbeak. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/hemiramphus-lutkei-valenciennes-1847/ (edited 05/07/22).