Wrestling halfbeak

From Freepedia

The wrestling halfbeak (Dermogenys pusillus) also known as Malayan Halfbeak is a member of the halfbeak family (Hemiramphidae) found in the fresh and brackish waters of rivers and coastal regions in South-East Asia, in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. It is a small slender, livebearing fish, with the elongated lower jaw characteristic of its family. The colour of this species varies, depending on where the specimen is found.

Wrestling halfbeaks are surface-feeding fish, which will consume insects, mosquito larvae, small crustaceans, worms etc.

This species of halfbeak is sometimes encountered in the aquarium trade. This fish is sensitive to unfavourable water conditions and needs frequent partial water changes. When first introduced into captivity, halfbeaks are nervous fish that tend to be timid. They may swim frantically if suddenly frightened, even crashing into the walls. However, once acclimated and having gotten used to their surroundings, these halfbeaks become lively fish.

The males of wrestling halfbeaks will fight among themselves by locking jaws, hence their name, for up to thirty minutes. Whilst this rarely results in serious injury, they do need somewhere to recuperate afterwards. The wrestling halfbeaks in their native range are sometimes used for betting purposes (like fighting cocks or siamese fighting fish) by the local peoples.

Females of this species grow up to 2.8 inches (7 cm), and males to 2.2 inches (5.5 cm).