Order Beloniformes
Family Hemiramphidae
Subfamily ( Zenarchopterinae )
Genus Nomorhamphus
Resembles a pike in shape. Its body is elongated with an extremely developed lower jaw resembling a beak, protruding forward and twice as long as the upper jaw. In Dermogenys the lower jaw is even, while in Nomorhamphus it is curved downward like a burnt match tip. Any of several species may be sold under the name Celebes halfbeak. All of them grow to about 10 cm and eat anything that fits in their mouths, even small neon tetras, so keep halfbeaks only with fish of similar sizes.
The lower jaw in young fish and adult females is straight, red, and may have a small black spot at the tip. In adult males, the lower jaw is black, most often with a downward-curved (rarely upward) appendage, but it can also be straight. A more intense black coloration of the fins and jaws and a larger appendage on it are characteristic only of dominant males. Among older males, specimens with black spots on the back are found: one around the dorsal fin, the other closer to the head. As they grow older, females also change color. A light yellow color is added to their modest attire on the front of the abdomen. The female releases fully formed fry that immediately take food. They live up to 3 years.
— Nomorhamphus celebensis [Weber et de Beaufort, 1922]. (Eng. Poso Halfbeak). Sulawesi Island (Celebes). Male 7 cm, female 10 cm. It differs from others by its very short “beak”. Silvery with a yellowish or greenish sheen. Fins are reddish-blue, anal, dorsal, and pelvic fins have a black border. In males, the lower jaw is black, and they are more colorful.
Peaceful towards other fish, males are aggressive towards each other if there are too many females. It is better to keep them in a group, and females should predominate numerically in the school, which will reduce the intensity of clashes between males. It is desirable to have floating flora (Riccia, Eichhornia, Pistia) in which the fish gladly stay. In addition, such thickets will prevent them from jumping out of the water. The fish like clean, transparent water, so high-quality filtration is necessary. It is important to have live food constantly. Subspecies: — N. celebensis snijdersi. Every 6-8 weeks, females give birth to 8-12 fry measuring 18 mm. T 24-26°C; pH 6.5-7.5; dH 8-12°.
— Red-black halfbeak or Nomorhamphus liemi [Vogt, 1978]. (Eng. Celebes Halfbeak). Water bodies of the limestone mountains of southern Sulawesi. Male 7 cm, female up to 12 cm. It has an elongated and low body, compressed laterally. Unpaired fins are shifted far back. The back line is straight, pelvic fins are located in the middle of the body, pectoral fins are quite large, protruding above the back line when the fish swims.
The male’s body is yellowish-gray, almost transparent, with a bluish-olive or yellowish sheen. With age, a downward-curved appendage grows on the lower jaw. The appendage is red, the downward-curved part is black. Dorsal and anal fins are red with a black border. The caudal fin at the base is an intense red color, the rest of the part is colorless with a narrow black border. Pectoral fins have black tips, and the dorsal and anal fins, in addition to red, have shiny blue rays.
In adult fish, the coloration changes. The black color on the fins thickens, becomes more saturated, and gradually the fins become almost black. The blue spot at the base of the dorsal fin turns blue with a pearly sheen and increases in size. The lower jaw in young fish and adult females is straight, red, with a possible small black spot at the end. In adult males, the lower jaw is black, most often with a downward-curved (rarely upward) appendage, but it can also be straight.
A more intense black coloration of the fins and jaws and a larger appendage on it is characteristic only of dominant males. Individuals that have a blue-pearly color not only on the dorsal, but also on the caudal and anal fins look very attractive. Among older males, specimens with black spots on the back are found: one around the dorsal fin, the other closer to the head.
As they grow older, females also change color. A light yellow color is added to their modest attire on the front of the abdomen, and they have a small shiny spot on the gill covers. Some females develop a shiny pale blue spot on the upper jaw. Males are smaller, their fins and snout are more brightly colored, and there is a fleshy appendage at the end of the lower jaw. In the male, the front rays of the anal fin are modified and turned into a copulatory organ necessary for internal fertilization of the female. The female is much paler, almost colorless, with a small spot in the rear.
Forms 2 subspecies: — N. liemi liemi — Body gray with a bluish-olive or yellowish sheen. Snout and fins red with a black border, lower jaw in the form of a black hook; — N. liemi snijdersi — Body gray with a bluish-olive or yellowish sheen. Snout red. The outgrowth on the lower jaw is slightly curved. Fins are black (red and blue colors only at the base of the fins) with straight red (sometimes with black endings) jaws. There is less red on the fins, but black spots occupy a larger area.
Peaceful towards others, but fight among themselves. In the aquarium, females and males first compete with each other, but without serious injuries. Then a hierarchy is established, and the weaker submits to the stronger. To prevent injuries, large males are placed with large females. Males kept in the same aquarium should be of approximately the same size. If large food is present, males will starve since their mouth, unlike females’, is small. Keep a group of fish with a significant predominance of females. Most of the time they stay in the upper layers of water.
High aquariums should not be used for their maintenance; 30 centimeters of height is enough. They can be kept in a general aquarium if there are no species inhabiting the upper layers. The fish are timid; in a small aquarium, when frightened, the fish begin to rush about and can break their jaw by hitting the glass. Therefore, the aquarium must be installed in the quietest places and tightly covered with a glass lid. Shelters are needed where they hide during the day. More active at twilight. Plants are necessary in the aquarium, especially those located near the walls (including floating ones) and free swimming space.
Cleanliness in the aquarium and fresh water are the key to success. Likes transparent, oxygen-rich, not too hard water. Aeration, filtration, and water changes are mandatory. Fresh water, like fright, causes premature birth in females. The fish gather food from the water surface, and practically do not take it from the water column or settled at the bottom. Females are prone to gluttony and obesity. For prevention, table salt (1-3 g/l) and potassium iodide (0.01 g per 10 l) should be added to the water. Weakened fish are isolated and intensively fed, but here one must not overdo it. If this has happened and the fish are “pulled” tail up, it is necessary to introduce methylene blue into the water: after 12-24 hours their condition will improve.
They mature at 6-10 months. Group spawning is undesirable, since in this case the cannibalism inherent in the fish manifests itself more strongly. Pregnancy lasts 25-40 days. Productivity 5-20 fry measuring 1.5-2.5 cm. Fry grow very quickly. In 2 weeks their fins begin to color, and in 3 the sex can be determined. Life span is about 3 years. pH 7.0; dH 4-8°; T 22-28°C.
Identification: Genus Nomorhamphus.
Oryzias celebensis, Oryzias matanensis.
Dermogenys pusilla, Wrestling halfbeak. 
