Ballyhoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ballyhoo |
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The ballyhoo (Hemiramphus brasiliensis) is a type of halfbeak fish. It is often used as bait by people who fish in the ocean. The ballyhoo looks a lot like another fish called the Balao halfbeak.
These fish are also known by other names like balahu or yellowtail ballyhoo. You might see them skimming across the water's surface. They do this to escape from bigger fish that want to eat them. It looks a bit like stones skipping on the water!
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What Does a Ballyhoo Look Like?
The ballyhoo has a special body shape. It has a very long lower jaw, which is why it's called a "halfbeak." Its body is long and round, like a cylinder.
Fins and Size
Ballyhoo do not have sharp spines on their fins. Instead, their fins are supported by soft rays. They have about 13 or 14 rays in their dorsal fin (the fin on their back). Their anal fin (the fin on their belly, near the tail) has about 12 or 13 rays.
Most ballyhoo grow to be about 35 centimeters (about 14 inches) long. The longest one ever found was about 55 centimeters (about 22 inches) long.
What Do Ballyhoo Eat?
These fish mostly eat sea grasses. They also munch on small fish they find in the water.
Where Do Ballyhoo Live?
Ballyhoo live in the warm, tropical parts of the Atlantic Ocean. You can find them on both sides of the ocean.
Their Home in the Ocean
In places like Florida, USA, ballyhoo like to live in shallow areas. They often hang out in grassy parts of the ocean floor, especially near coral reefs. These areas provide them with food and places to hide.
