Family : Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks) , subfamily: Zenarchopterinae
Order : Beloniformes  (needle fishes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Wrestling halfbeak
Fish Name : Dermogenys pusilla
Max size : 7.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 30857)
Environment : pelagic-neritic; pH range: 7 - 8; dH range: 9 - 19
Climate : tropical; 24 - 28°C
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Asia: Thailand to Indonesia. Also includes India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh (Ref. 43081).
Diagnosis :
Biology : Found in rivers, rivulets, canals, drains, ponds and lakes (Ref. 4833). Rarely found in the sea (Ref. 45255). Inhabits medium to large rivers, flooded fields and mainly stagnant waters including sluggish flowing canals of the lower Mekong (Ref. 12975). Most common in areas with floating plants or rooted aquatics that reach the surface (Ref. 12693). Larvae and early juveniles are sometimes found in the upper reaches of mangroves during the wet season (Ref. 43081). A live-bearer species. Feed on worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020). Rarely taken in commercial catches, although it may be found in subsistence catches. Not seen in markets (Ref. 12693)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Collette, Bruce B.
Main Ref : Kottelat, M., A.J. Whitten, S.N. Kartikasari and S. Wirjoatmodjo. 1993. (Ref. 7050)

India country information
Common Names : Freshwater halfbeak, Wrestling halfbeak
Status : native
Salinity : freshwater, brackish, marine
Uses : no uses