Anyone have experience with Halfbeaks?

[cacas]

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I have been enthralled by halfbeaks for quite some time now. If you don't know, halfbeaks are a family of fishes (Hemiramphidae) that range from freshwater, brackish, and marine warm-water environments. (Though oftentimes many are euryhaline).

Recently I have came into possession of quite a large tank (~800gal+)not taken exact measurements yet. I have been thinking of various stocking choices, but I realized that I could possibly keep halfbeaks! I know that they are more of a niche fish in the aquarium hobby, and I have seen people keeping some species of freshwater halfbeaks, but keeping marine halfbeaks is practically unheard of. Searching online, I've not found much on the care requirements and/or instances of people keeping them.

From what I've collected, it seems that marine halfbeaks tend to range from 12-24 inches, whereas brackish & freshwater halfbeaks are considerably smaller. The line between brackish/marine halfbeaks is quite blurred as many live in semi coastal/estuarine enviornments. There are some sources that suggest brackish water halfbeaks can be successfully acclimated to marine salinity, however I have not found many actual accounts of this online. Halfbeaks are apparently a commonly used bait fish, and are supposedly "hardy", but again, this is what I've gleaned online.

Has anyone had experience with these? I know that the halfbeak family is quite convoluted and there are many lesser-known/obscure species, so I would really appreciate it if y'all included scientific name/ID with your answers. In fact, I can help a lil bit below:

However there are many subgenera and of course the environment thing is a rule of thumb, there are some Zenarchopterinae that are marine and some Hemiramphinae that are brackish.

Hoping that SOMEONE has experience with these fish. #reefsquad

 

[cacas]

Bump! #reefsquad

 

[Fish Fan]

I kept half-beaks some time ago

My memory is fuzzy, but I'd bet that @vetteguy53081 would have experience with these brackish water fish, maybe he has a minute to comment.

 

[cacas]

Thanks for your response! I would love to hear anything about your experience. I know that freshwater/brackish halfbeaks are kept, but I'm more interested in marine halfbeaks in particular. Any input is appreciated!

Caption: Hyporhamphus dussumieri, a marine halfbeak

 

[Fish Fan]

I kept half-beaks seriously 40 years ago when I was a kid

Give it some time, but I would think that @vetteguy53081 will both find this thread, and have experience with those brackish water fish

 

[Fish Fan]

This is a random internet pic (not mine) of a half-beak, Dermogenys pusilla,

And this (not mine):

Beautiful fish for sure! Good luck

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks for your response! I would love to hear anything about your experience. I know that freshwater/brackish halfbeaks are kept, but I'm more interested in marine halfbeaks in particular. Any input is appreciated!

Caption: Hyporhamphus dussumieri, a marine halfbeak

I'm sorry, I missed this, and my tiny pea brain went to the little brackish fish I kept as a teenager decades ago

Please carry on

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I have been enthralled by halfbeaks for quite some time now. If you don't know, halfbeaks are a family of fishes (Hemiramphidae) that range from freshwater, brackish, and marine warm-water environments. (Though oftentimes many are euryhaline).

Recently I have came into possession of quite a large tank (~800gal+)not taken exact measurements yet. I have been thinking of various stocking choices, but I realized that I could possibly keep halfbeaks! I know that they are more of a niche fish in the aquarium hobby, and I have seen people keeping some species of freshwater halfbeaks, but keeping marine halfbeaks is practically unheard of. Searching online, I've not found much on the care requirements and/or instances of people keeping them.

From what I've collected, it seems that marine halfbeaks tend to range from 12-24 inches, whereas brackish & freshwater halfbeaks are considerably smaller. The line between brackish/marine halfbeaks is quite blurred as many live in semi coastal/estuarine enviornments. There are some sources that suggest brackish water halfbeaks can be successfully acclimated to marine salinity, however I have not found many actual accounts of this online. Halfbeaks are apparently a commonly used bait fish, and are supposedly "hardy", but again, this is what I've gleaned online.

Has anyone had experience with these? I know that the halfbeak family is quite convoluted and there are many lesser-known/obscure species, so I would really appreciate it if y'all included scientific name/ID with your answers. In fact, I can help a lil bit below:

However there are many subgenera and of course the environment thing is a rule of thumb, there are some Zenarchopterinae that are marine and some Hemiramphinae that are brackish.

Hoping that SOMEONE has experience with these fish. #reefsquad

Had these many years ago and are peaceful and best in planted freshwater tanks but also brackish adapting to low salinity tanks

 

[cacas]

Thanks vetteguy for the prompt response. I'm mainly searching for people who have experience with marine halfbeaks. Do you happen to have kept marine species?

 

[Rocks reef]

I haven’t found any definitive information regarding keeping these in a reef tank.
From what I have read, they are an open ocean/surface swimming fish that are most active at night.
Bear in mind, when startled or avoiding a predator, these fish are able to “fly” across the surface of the water for short distances. They are related to flying fish. So, unless you have a HUGE tank and it is completely covered, you may very well find these several feet from your tank becoming fish jerky.
I am in NO way trying to derail your plans. However, there is a reason these fish aren’t kept in home aquaria.
Good luck in your quest!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks vetteguy for the prompt response. I'm mainly searching for people who have experience with marine halfbeaks. Do you happen to have kept marine species?

I had brackish but had them at 1.012 salinity

 

[cacas]

Thanks everyone for the insights. For the record, I do plan to keep the tank covered in case of jumping. I am aware that these are large fish, of course, but I do believe that the tank is sufficiently large.

Anyways, I am still open to hearing anyone's experiences with marine halfbeaks. In fact, I actually did manage to find a website that sold marine halfbeaks Link
Hyporhamphus dussumieri, which is a marine halfbeak; however I have not found much else on their care info.

I am mainly searching for people who have experience/ even any sort of interaction with marine halfbeaks because like I said, they are almost unheard of in the aquarium hobby.

 

[Subsea]

@cacas
I followed your link to Quality Marine. Is not their description sufficient? If not, consider getting in touch with Quality Marine customer care and talk with an aquatic specialist.

​

Description​

Half Beaks should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of rockwork, caves, cracks and crevices. Half Beaks are schooling fish, plenty of wide open swim room should be provided. Half Beaks are hardy and tolerate to a wide range of salinities. Provide a diet rich in meaty foods fed multiple times daily. Half Beaks may jump provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid.
Dussumier's Half Beak are also sometimes known as the Dussumier's or Slender Garrfish. Rarely seen in the aquarium trade. Dussumier's Half Beak are a green color with a white belly and red tipped lower jaw. Dussumier's Half Beak can grow to almost 15" but are more commonly seen at about 8".
We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons or larger for this species.
Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

PS: what else is going in this 800G aquarium?