Hemiramphus depauperatus
| Polynesian halfbeak | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Beloniformes |
| Family: | Hemiramphidae |
| Genus: | Hemiramphus |
| Species: | H. depauperatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hemiramphus depauperatus Lay & Bennett, 1839 | |
Hemiramphus depauperatus, commonly known as the Polynesian halfbeak (or “Demi-bec polynésian” in French[1] and “IheIhe” in Native Hawaiian[2]) is a species of fish, belonging to the family Hemiramphidae[3] found in the Pacific Ocean. The species was first misidentified as Hemiramphus eclancheri by Alvin Seale in 1906, further identified by Henry Weed Fowler to be considered Hemiramphus brasiliensis. It has since been corrected to Hemiramphus depauperatus.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Hemiramphus depauperatus can be found in the Central Pacific, including island chains such as the Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands, Society Islands, Marquesas Islands,[5] as well as the Tuamotu Islands, Gambier islands, and the Australs Islands.[6] They live in depths ranging from 0 to 1 meters.[7]
Description
Hemiramphus depauperatus has a silvery color with blue-green iridescence on the side.[8] Unlike other needlefish, Hemiramphus depauperatus can be identified by its deeper body. It features a stubby, triangular shaped upper jaw, with a long needle-like lower jaw, hosting a red mark at the tip of the lower jaw. It grows up to 35cm[9] (about 15 In.) in length. It eats smaller fish, zooplankton, and organic detritus.[7]
References
- ↑ "Hemiramphus depauperatus Lay & Bennett, 1839". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ "Hawaiian Dictionaries". wehewehe.org. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Hemiramphus depauperatus Lay & Bennett, 1839". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ Randall, John E.; Earle, John L. (2000). "Annotated Checklist of the Shore Fishes of the Marquesas Islands" (PDF). Bishop Museum Occasional Papers – via Bishop Museum.
- ↑ "CAS - Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes". researcharchive.calacademy.org. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ Siu, Gilles; Bacchet, Philippe; Bernardi, Giacomo; Brooks, Andrew J.; Carlot, Jeremy; Causse, Romain; Claudet, Joachim; Clua, Eric; Delrieu-Trottin, Erwan (2017), Shore fishes of French Polynesia, Cybium, doi:10.26028/CYBIUM/2017-413-003, retrieved 2026-03-09
- 1 2 "Hemiramphus depauperatus summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ↑ Hoover, John P.; Hoover, John P. (2008). The ultimate guide to Hawaiian reef fishes sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and seals. Honolulu: Mutual Pub. ISBN 978-1-56647-887-8.
- ↑ "Hemiramphus depauperatus". Reef Life Survey | Reef Species of the World. Retrieved 2026-03-09.