Lutke'S Half Beak

Greatly prolonged, beak-like lower jaw; upper jaw short, triangular and without scales; preorbital ridge absent; total number of gill rakers on first gill arch 33-46; pectoral fins long, reaching beyond anterior margin of nasal pit when folded forward; no spots or vertical bars on sides.

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 15; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 10 - 13; Vertebrae: 52 - 57

Inhabits coastal waters rich in vegetation (Ref. 5213). Found more offshore than other species of Hemiramphus in the western central Pacific; juveniles and immature individuals are relatively common far from shore, usually among floating plants (Ref. 9843). Caught by set-net.

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus