common halfbeak
Hyporhamphus unifasciatus
Halfbeak of shallow surface waters, which forms schools and enters estuaries. It is used as bait and has small commercial use.
Also called: agulha-branca, panaguaiú, agujeta, common halfbeak
- maximum
- 30 cm
- record/max.
- 0.1 kg
- depth
- 0–5 m
who is the common halfbeak
Fish of the family Hemiramphidae, reaching 29.5 cm and weighing up to 93 g. It occurs in the western Atlantic, from southern Florida to Uruguay and Argentina, along the coasts of the Caribbean, Central America and South America, and along the whole Brazilian coast. It lives in shallow surface waters, forming large schools and entering estuaries. It feeds on algae and small animals. In fishing, it is used as bait and has minor commercial use. It is edible, but little prized.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the common halfbeak; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Elongated body, with the lower jaw very elongated and the upper jaw short and triangular. The back is greenish, with three narrow dark stripes, and the flanks and belly are silvery white. The red edge of the lower jaw and the pale tail with dark tips are easy-to-spot signs. It has no spines on its fins.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It occurs from southern Florida to Uruguay and Argentina, along the coasts of the Caribbean, Central America and South America, and along the entire Brazilian coast.
Habitat: Shallow coastal and surface waters, from 0 to 5 m deep, with entry into estuaries.
coast
rules for the common halfbeak
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
No dangerous spines or venom, but there are reports of ciguatera for this species, so avoid eating specimens of doubtful origin.
in the kitchen
It is edible but little prized. There are reports of ciguatera, so avoid eating specimens of doubtful origin.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00234, b = 3.1; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Hyporhamphus unifasciatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Hyporhamphus unifasciatusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
