Halfbeaks are found both in fresh and salt water. The Dermogenys pusilla, however, usually resides in slow or stagnant freshwater reservoirs. This includes rivers, ponds, lakes and even flooded fields.
These long beak fish can also be found in semi-brackish conditions such as mangroves. As far as geographical distribution is concerned, they can be found in Eastern Asian countries such as Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, to name a few.
Physical Attributes (Hint: They are Lovely to Look at)
Halfbeak fish have quite a distinct appearance due to their slender body. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their physical attributes.
Temperament: how do they behave?
The Halfbeak fishes can be an excitable bunch. They are easily stressed (especially when new) and can be triggered even by the switching on of a light. When stressed and rushing around the tank, they are liable to injuring their beaks. While minor damage heals within a few weeks, significant injury results in almost certain death.
Not the bravest or hardiest of fishes out there, Halfbeak fishes need a bit of caring for. You can’t just stuff them away in any old fish bowl. For the newbies in the fishkeeping world; not all fishes behave like the docile goldfish in old cartoons! The most important thing, of course, is the fish tank or aquarium that little miss fishy is going to reside in.– Jumping Fish (Take Cover!)
Halfbeaks are known to jump about quite a lot (they are related to flying fishes, after all). You don’t want to return home to find it flopping about in the living room, do you? The solution for that is to add a sturdy cover to the aquarium.
Size:Females up to 2.8 inches (7 cm), males smaller.
Tank:30″ twenty gallon long (75 Litre). Long is better than tall.
Strata:Top
PH:7.0 to 8.0
Hardness:Medium hard to hard, dH range: 6 – 18°
Temperature:70 to 86°F (21 to 30°C)
Order:Beloniformes
Suborder:CyprinodontoideiFamily:Hemirhamphidae
SubFamily:Zenarchopterinae
Genera:Dermogenys