What is ballyhoo fish?

Ballyhoo fish, also known as balao or halfbeak, are small and brightly colored fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They belong to the family Hemiramphidae and are commonly used as bait for saltwater fishing.

Ballyhoo fish are known for their elongated bodies, with a distinctive beak-like jaw that gives them their name. They are usually silver in color with a blue-green back, yellow sides, and a white belly. These fish have a forked tail and can grow up to 12 inches in length.

They are typically found in coastal waters, near reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove areas. Ballyhoo feed on small fish, plankton, and other marine organisms by skimming the surface of the water with their mouths open to filter out their food.

Ballyhoo are an important part of the marine ecosystem, serving as both predator and prey for larger fish species. They are commonly used as bait for catching gamefish such as marlin, sailfish, and dorado. Ballyhoo are typically caught and sold frozen or salted for use as bait by fishermen.