Yellowtip Halfbeak

A slender surface-dwelling fish with a greatly elongated lower jaw tipped with red-orange. Schools near the surface in coastal UAE waters. Commonly used as live bait for larger pelagic species and an important forage fish for seabirds and predatory fish.

Species Stats

Diet

Algae, small invertebrates, zooplankton

Habitat

Surface of inshore and offshore coastal waters

Local Name (Arabic)

سالاس

Fun Facts

• 1

  The elongated lower jaw gives it an unmistakable silhouette.

• 2

  A preferred live bait for large trevally and Spanish mackerel in UAE waters.

• 3

  Schools of halfbeaks near the surface often signal the presence of larger predators below.

Found In