Description
Halfbeak Tetra (Hemirhamphodon phaiosoma)
📌 Basic Info
Scientific Name: Hemirhamphodon phaiosoma
Common Names: Halfbeak Tetra, Halfbeak Fish
Family: Hemiramphidae (Halfbeak Family)
Order: Beloniformes
Origin: Southeast Asia — Malaysia, Indonesia, and Borneo freshwater rivers and streams
Size: Up to 2.5 inches (6–7 cm) in captivity
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Tank Zone: Top and mid water column
🌊 Water Parameters
TDS: 50 – 200 ppm
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)
Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
Body: Slender, elongated body with a distinctive overhanging lower jaw (halfbeak).
Coloration: Silvery body with subtle green or blue reflections; males may show brighter colors during breeding.
Fins: Small dorsal and anal fins; forked caudal fin; pectoral fins translucent.
Behavior: Peaceful and social; active swimmer at the water surface.
Nature: Diurnal; prefers calm waters with plants and floating cover.
Special Feature: Unique halfbeak jaw structure allows surface feeding; ideal for micro-live foods.
🍽️ Food
Type: Omnivorous
Diet: Live/frozen foods like daphnia, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp; also accepts flakes and micro-pellets.
Feeding Frequency: Once or twice daily.
Tip: Surface feeding behavior makes live foods more effective; floating foods are preferred.
🛠️ Maintenance
Tank Size: Minimum 40 liters (10 gallons) for a small school.
Filtration: Gentle filtration; avoid strong currents.
Substrate: Sand or fine gravel.
Decor: Plants, floating vegetation, driftwood; provide shaded areas.
Lighting: Moderate; floating plants help reduce stress.
Water Change: 20% weekly; maintain clean and stable water.
👥 Social Behavior
Group Size: Best kept in schools of 6 or more.
Tank Mates: Peaceful community fish like tetras, rasboras, and small gouramis.
Avoid: Aggressive or overly large fish.
Compatibility Note: Social fish; stressed if kept singly or in small numbers.
✅ Do’s
Keep in schools to enhance behavior and reduce stress.
Provide floating plants for comfort and feeding.
Maintain stable water parameters and regular water changes.
Feed a varied diet including live and frozen foods.
❌ Don’ts
Don’t keep singly; they are schooling fish.
Don’t house with aggressive species.
Don’t neglect water quality; sensitive to ammonia/nitrite spikes.
⭐ Quick Tips
Halfbeak Tetras are peaceful, active, and unique freshwater fish with surface-feeding habits. Their slender bodies, halfbeak jaws, and schooling behavior make them ideal for community aquariums with floating plants and calm waters.
