Animal Species:Eastern Sea Garfish, Hyporhamphus australis (Steindachner, 1866)

Identification

At least 18 species of garfishes are known from Australian waters. They can be difficult to accurately identify. Most have very elongate silvery bodies with a long lower jaw and short triangular upper jaw.

Size range

The Eastern Sea Garfish grows to 52 cm in length.

Distribution

The Eastern Sea Garfish is found in marine waters along the eastern Australian coast from southern Queensland to eastern Victoria.

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 Eastern Sea Garfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Other behaviours and adaptations

It is a schooling species.

Classification

Species:

australis

Genus:

Hyporhamphus

Family:

Hemiramphidae

Order:

Beloniformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Allen, G.R., D.F. Hoese, J.R. Paxton, J.E. Randall, B.C. Russell, W.A. Starck, F.H. Talbot & GP Whitley. l976. An annotated checklist of the fishes of Lord Howe Island. Records of the Australian Museum, 30 (15):365-454.
2. Francis, M.P. 1993. Checklist of the Coastal Fishes of Lord Howe, Norfolk, and Kermadec Islands, south-west Pacific Ocean. Pacific Science. 47 (2):136-170.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.

Last Updated: 4 August 2012

Tags fish, fishes, ichthyology, Eastern Sea Garfish, Hyporhamphus australis, Hemiramphidae, marine, schooling species, elongate, silver, 30 cm - 1 m, long and skinny,