Order : Beloniformes
Family : ZENACHOPTERIDAE
Species : Dermogenys collettei

Maximum length (excluding tail fin) : 5.1 cm
(Fishbase, 2026)

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This surface dwelling, carnivorous fish is adapted to habitats varying from acidic, tropical forest streams to brackish mangrove streams.

It is identified by its small size and shape of the jaw. Males often have a red blotch on the dorsal fin, and can be aggressive towards other males. The species is ovoviviparous, meaning the young fry hatch internally in the female and are then born alive.

The Pygmy Halfbeak can be distinguished from the similar Forest Halfbeak Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus by the position of the dorsal fin which begins behind the anal fin.

The species occurs in many Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.   

Fig 1 : A 4cm specimen amongst pondside vegetation in a shallow, silty, open-country pond, Singapore.

Fig 2 : Stream gully in Singapore's central forest; Dermogenys collettei occurs in such habitat.

Fig 3 : A female (6 cm), presumably in breeding condition, is closely followed by a smaller male (3 cm). Seen in a shallow, secondary forest stream, Singapore.

Fig 4 : Specimen in a brackish stream inlet, Pulau Sugi, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia.


References :

Ho Jonathan K. I., Sorain J. Ramchunder, Andrew Memory, Meryl Theng, Li Tianjiao, Esther Clews, Cai Yixiong, Tan Heok Hui & Darren C. J. Yeo. (2016). A Guide to the Freshwater Fauna of Nee Soon Swamp Forest.  Singapore: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum & Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore. 139 pp.