Above: In the picture a nice Celebes Halfbeak was swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Comments: if you're interesting in keeping a Halfbeak, you should be careful about what tankmates you choose.

Origin: these Halfbeaks are wild fish found in Indonesia. But collectors catch them, and now they're living in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums this Halfbeak can grow to be about 3.5" long, and sometimes larger if kept in excellent water and fed plenty of premium food pellets for several years.

Behaviors: Halfbeaks can be semi-aggresive, they will eat any fish that can fit in their mouth.

Compatibility: Some recommended tankmates include, community fish that aren't small enough to fit in it's mouth like Congo Tetras, Baby Whales, African Leaf Fish, and Ctenopomas, but not very aggressive Cichlids.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: lives best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is best. Smaller sized pellets when young, and larger sized pellets when bigger, is the ideal food for these fish.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: They naturally live in a wide range of habitats with different types of water, so these Halfbeaks can adapt to most types of water, and as usual it's best not to change the pH or alkalinity of your local water.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: this Halfbeak will do fine in an aquarium with at least 20-gallons of water when small, but will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 30-gallons of water.

Decor: Halfbeak do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, these Halfbeak are often found in natural environments with lots of aquatic plants and seem to enjoy live plants.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 30-gallon aquariums have room along the back for one Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of a minimal set up for this fish.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Halfbeaks can live for several years. Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may live even longer lives.

Gender: Males have stronger coloration.

Breeding: The female gives birth to live fry, when born they are about 1" long.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: These fish are somewhat popular in the hobby.

Names: Their scientific name is  Nomorhamphus liemi.

Variations: We know of no variations in this fish.

Click here for more information about keeping and caring for Halfbeak.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.