Western Atlantic Range
The distribution includes the eastern United States and Gulf waters toward Yucatan. The scientific name is Hyporhamphus meeki. Several halfbeaks occur in coastal waters, so an elongated jaw alone cannot establish the species without locality and additional anatomical detail.
Inshore Schools
Fish form schools over sandy vegetated areas near shore. A complete habitat observation includes the bottom and cover beneath the school as well as its position in the water column. Schooling does not imply that all individuals remain over one patch permanently.
Length and Use
The maximum reference is 20.9 centimeters standard length, ending at the tail base. Algae and small organisms are recorded foods, and the fish is used as bait where abundant. Human use should remain separate from claims about the natural diet of this particular halfbeak.
Retain the Jaw and Tail Endpoints
Show the whole fish when recording length. A cropped jaw or tail can make a halfbeak measurement difficult to interpret.
All Lakes With Meek's Halfbeak
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Meek's Halfbeak records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.