Halfbeak

Arrhamphus
Chriodorus
Dermogenys
Euleptorhamphus
Hemirhamphodon
Hemiramphus
Hyporhamphus
Melapedalion
Nomorhamphus
Oxyporhamphus
Rhynchorhamphus
Reporhamphus
Tondanichthys
Zenarchopterus

Halfbeaks (family Hemiramphidae) are a geographically widespread and numerically adundant family of epipelagic fish inhabiting warm waters around the world. Although morphologically all very similar, the halfbeaks are remarkable for showing an exceptionally wide range of reproductive modes ranging from egg-laying and ovoviviparity through to true vivipary where the mother is connected to the developing embryos via a placenta-like structure. Some livebearing species are also known to exhibit oophagy or intrauterine cannibalism, where developing embryos feed on eggs or other embryos within the uterus.

Marine halfbeaks are omnivores feeding on algae; marine plants such as seagrasses; plankton; invertebrates such as pteropods and crustaceans; and smaller fishes. They are in turn eaten by many ecologically and commercially important predatory fish, such as billfish, mackerel, and sharks, and so are a key link between trophic levels. They are not a major target for commercial fisheries though many artisanal fisheries target halfbeaks, and their meat is considered to be of good quality. In some localities significant bait fisheries exist to supply sport fishermen. Freshwater halfbeaks are believed to feed primarily on insects, particularly mosquitoes and spiders.