Nomorhamphus 3744318 203822152 2008-04-06T20:07:44Z Escarbot 1554195 robot Adding: [[pt:Nomorhamphus]] {{Taxobox | name = Hemiramphidae | image = Halfbeak.jpg | image_caption = Freshwater halfbeak in aquarium | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Actinopterygii]] | ordo = [[Beloniformes]] | familia = [[Hemiramphidae]] | genus = '''''Nomorhamphus''''' | genus_authority = Weber & de Beaufort, 1922 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = * ''[[Nomorhamphus brembachi]]'' * ''[[Nomorhamphus liemi]]'' }} The [[freshwater]] [[halfbeak]]s of the genus '''''Nomorhamphus''''' are widely distributed in South East Asia, in particular the islands of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sulawesi. They are all [[viviparous]], producing small clutches of around a dozen fry about 10 to 15 mm long at birth [http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/aquaria/halfbeaks.html?]. Females are generally larger than the males. In the largest species, such as ''Nomorhamphus liemi'', the females are about 100 mm in length, whereas the males are about 60 to 70 mm in length. Males are also more brightly coloured than the females (often having red, black, or blue patches on their fins). Compared with many other halfbeaks, the lower [[mandible]], or beak, is relatively short, on females in particular barely protruding beyond the length of the upper mandible. The males of some species (e.g., ''N. ebrardtii'') have short, straight beaks, but those of others (e.g., ''N. liemi'') have short beaks that curve downwards forming a shape often compared to a [[goatee]] beard by aquarists. ''Nomorhamphus'' feed extensively on small [[insects]], either in the form of aquatic [[larvae]] or as flying insects that have fallen onto the surface of the water. They are important predators on insects such as [[mosquitoes]] and so play a role in controlling [[malaria]]. ''Nomorhamphus'' are too small to be of value as food, but they do have some value as aquarium fish. See the article on [[halfbeak]]s for details on the maintenance of these fish in home aquaria. [[Image:Halfbeak_fry.jpeg|thumb|left|250px|A young ''Nomorhamphus'' about seven days old and about 18 mm in length. Note that the beak, prominent in adults, is lacking on juveniles.]] ==Reproduction== ''Nomorhamphus'' are livebearing fish that practise internal fertilisation. The male is equipped with a [[gonopodium|gonopodium-like]] anal fin known as a gonopodium that delivers sperm into the female. The [[gestation]] period is about six weeks. The exact mode of reproduction ranges from [[ovoviviparous|ovoviviparity]] through to [[viviparous|viviparity]], and in some species [[oophagy]] is known as well (see section on reproduction in the [[Halfbeak#Reproduction|halfbeak]] article). Only around ten to twenty embryos are developed at a time, but at birth these are fairly large (around 13 mm) and well developed, able to take small prey, such as ''[[Daphnia]]'' immediately after birth. ==Further reading== * Scott, Peter (1997): Livebearing Fishes, Tetra Press, ISBN 1-56465-193-2 ==References== *[http://www.fishbase.org/Eschmeyer/GeneraSummary.cfm?ID=Nomorhamphus FishBase entry for ''Nomorhamphus''] *[http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/aquaria/halfbeaks.html? Report on keeping and breeding halfbeaks] [[Category:Hemiramphidae]] [[Category:Live-bearing fish]] [[Category:Viviparous fish]] [[Category:Fishkeeping]] [[pt:Nomorhamphus]]