Hemiramphus far (Forsskål 1775) —Black-barred halfbeak

Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Hemiramphus unifasciatus, Ranz. and Hemiramphus marginatus, Bleek by Gruvel (1931: 86); subsequently recorded as Hemiramphus far (Forskäl 1775) by George et al. (1964: 14); as Hemiramphus far (Forsskål) by Mouneimné (1977: 62); as Hemiramphus far (Forsskål 1775) by Mouneimné (2002: 104); recently recorded as Hemiramphus far by Carpentieri et al. (2009: 3); as Hemiramphus far by Bariche et al. (2015: 2366). Material in collection: FMNH, ROM and USNM.

Distribution. Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East and South Africa, Seychelles, to Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Philippines, Samoa and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia and New South Wales (Australia); Mediterranean Sea (Red Sea immigrant).

Conservation. IUCN: Global (NE). Capture and threats: Unknown. Occurrence: Rare. Non-indigenous species, no conservation action needed.

Hyporhamphus affinis (Günther 1866) —Tropical halfbeak

Taxonomy. First record from Lebanon as Hyporhamphus cf. dussumieri (Valenciennes 1846) by George & Athanassiou (1967: 279); subsequently recorded as Hyporhampus dussumieri (Valenciennes) by Mouneimné (1977: 62); as Hyporhampus dussumieri (Valenciennes 1846) by Mouneimné (2002: 104). Material in collection: AUBM.

Distribution. Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, Seychelles and Madagascar east to Tuamotu Archipelago, north to Philippines, south to northwestern Australia and New Caledonia; Mediterranean Sea (Red Sea immigrant).

Conservation. IUCN: Global (NE). Capture and threats: Unknown. Occurrence: Rare. Non-indigenous species, no conservation action needed.