Family :Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks),subfamily: Zenarchopterinae
Order : Beloniformes (needle fishes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
b>Fishbase Name : Buffon's river-garfish
Fish Name : Zenarchopterus buffonis
Max size : 23.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 7050)
Environment : reef-associated
Climate:tropical
Global Importance :
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Distribution:Indo-West Pacific: India, Malay Peninsula, East Indies, Philippines, Hainan Island in China, Taiwan, New Guinea and northern Australia (Ref. 10943). Known from the lower Mekong (Ref. 12693). Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 10-13. A prominent dark brown stripe along the midline of the snout. Upper jaw distinctly wider than long; width divided by length 1.05-1.35. Sixth anal fin ray of adult males much thickened and enlarged, not reaching base of caudal fin. Fourth to seventh dorsal rays of adult males slightly elongate.
Biology : Found at the surface levels in coastal waters, estuaries and rivers. Feeds on terrestrial insects. Not seen in markets (Ref. 12693)
Threatened :
Dangerous :harmless

India country information

Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : brackish, marine
Uses : no uses