Needlefishes, Family Belonidae & Halfbeaks, Family Hemirhamphidae

Needlefishes are voracious predators of small fishes just below the water's surface in shallow water and the open sea. The mouth has jaws of equal length lined with large needle-like teeth. Halfbeaks differ in having long lower and and stubby upper jaws with sandpaper-like teeth to feed upon surface-dwelling plankton. They have cylindrical or compressed bodies with large scales and blue to green above and silver below. They also have blue bones. The lower lobe of the caudal fin is elongated to provide lift as it skitters along the water's surface when disturbed and large fish have caused fatalities when accidentally running into fishermen. Needlefishes have dark oily flesh that is delicious broiled but the blue bones are revolting to some. Several species occur in Hawaii but may be difficult to separate without careful examination.

Ke'ei, Hawaii
Ke'ei, Hawaii	Ke'ei, Hawaii

Halfbeaks are herbivorous surface feeders of coastal waters and the open ocean. The lower jaw is elongated only. The mouth is small and contains minute teeth. They are an important food source for seabirds and large fish.

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North Beach, Midway	Kahalu'u, Hawaii, 5 feet

Wakatobi, Indonesia