Hyporhamphus picarti is a species of fish belonging to the halfbeak family, Hemiramphidae. It is a relatively small species, with a maximum size of 20.0 cm.
Description & Characteristics
Hyporhamphus picarti is characterized by its elongated body with a distinctive, flattened beak-like lower jaw. The upper jaw is considerably shorter than the lower jaw, which gives it a characteristic halfbeak appearance. Its body is generally silvery in color with a dark stripe running along its sides. It has a small, terminal mouth.
Habitat and Occurrence
Hyporhamphus picarti is found in tropical and subtropical marine waters. It is typically found in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and lagoons, often in areas with dense vegetation. This species is particularly common in the epipelagic zone, which is the sunlit upper layer of the ocean.
Taxonomy
Hyporhamphus picarti belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Beloniformes, and Family: Hemiramphidae. This family comprises around 70 species, distributed across various regions, all sharing the characteristic elongated lower jaw.
Feeding
Hyporhamphus picarti is a planktivorous fish, feeding primarily on small crustaceans, plankton, and other invertebrates. It is known to use its elongated lower jaw to scoop up food from the surface of the water.
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