THE BALAOS OR HALF-BEAKS 



Family XXI. Hcmiramphidce 



Herbivorous fishes of warm seas; mostly shore species, a 

 few pelagic. They feed chiefly on green algae and, like the 

 related forms, swim at the surface, occasionally leaping in the 

 air. Species of rather small size, rarely exceeding a foot in 

 length. Genera about 7; species about 75. Within our limits 

 there are 4 genera and about 1 1 species. Most of them are of 

 some food value. This family is doubtfully distinct from Exo- 

 ccetidce and the 2 should be combined. 



The genus Chriodoriis contains a single species (C. atherin- 

 oides) which occurs among the Florida Keys. It is abundant 

 at Key West. It reaches a length of 10 inches and is an ex- 

 cellent little panfish. 



The genus Hyporhamphus contains numerous species in all 

 warm seas. They are all known as half-beaks and swim in large 

 schools usually near shore, where they feed chiefly on green 

 algae. There are 3 species in our waters, all small and not 

 much used as food, though the flavour is excellent. The com- 



mon half-beak (//. roberti), of which we give a figure, occurs 

 on both coasts of America, north to Rhode Island and Lower 

 California. It reaches a foot in length. 



The balaos (genus Hemiramphus) have the body compressed 

 and the sides nearly parallel and vertical. There are 2 species 

 in our waters, both occurring in the West Indies. 



The genus Eiileptorhamphiis has the body more slender and 

 more compressed, and the pectoral fins longer. Only i species, 

 found in the West Indies, and reaching a length of 2 feet. 



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