Asian pencil halfbeak
📖 Overview
Asian pencil halfbeak (Hyporhamphus intermedius) is a ray-finned fish of the family Hemiramphidae. It inhabits diadromous, migrating between freshwater and the sea waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 20.3 cm. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 19; Vertebrae: 47 - 54. Long upper jaw and many vertebrae (47-54) and predorsal scales (48-63). Lower jaw shorter than head length.: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Asian pencil halfbeak is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; amphidromous; depth range 0 - ? m. Subtropical Northwest Pacific: Honshu, Japan and the northern part of the Yellow Sea south to southern China, including Taiwan.
🌿 Ecology
zooplankton
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Asian pencil halfbeak is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Asian pencil halfbeak is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Asian pencil halfbeak has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemiramphus intermedius | Cantor | 1842 | Synonym |
| Hemirhamphus intermedius | Cantor | 1842 | Synonym |
| Hemirhamphus kurumeus | Jordan & Starks | 1903 | Synonym |
| Hemirhamphus occipitalis | Gill | 1859 | Synonym |
| Hyporhamphus kurumeus | Jordan & Starks | 1903 | Synonym |
| Hyporhamphus occipitalis | Gill | 1859 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 543 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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