Animal Species:Longfin Garfish, Euleptorhamphus viridis (Hasselt, 1823)

Alternative Name/s

Long-beaked Garfish, Longfinned Halfbeak.

Identification

The Longfin Garfish has an elongate ribbon-like body and an extremely long lower jaw. The species is often mistaken for a flying fish because of its very long pectoral fins and gliding ability.

Size range

The species grows to about 60 cm in length.

Distribution

The Longfin Garfish occurs in the temperate Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Longfin Garfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is a pelagic species that occurs in inshore and oceanic waters.

Classification

Species:

viridis

Genus:

Euleptorhamphus

Family:

Hemiramphidae

Order:

Beloniformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 4 August 2012

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Longfin Garfish, Euleptorhamphus viridis, Hemiramphidae, long and skinny, silver, extremely long lower jaw, Long-beaked Garfish, Longfinned Halfbeak, elongate, ribbon-like body, 30 cm - 1 m, temperate water, marine, pelagic,