The Estuarine Halfbeak is a small surface-dwelling fish native to Sri Lanka, commonly found in coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, mangrove areas, and lower reaches of rivers where freshwater mixes with brackish water. It prefers calm, shallow habitats with vegetation and floating debris, where it can easily find shelter and food near the water surface. This species has an elongated body and a distinctive lower jaw that extends beyond the upper jaw, giving it the characteristic halfbeak appearance. It is an active swimmer that usually moves in small groups near the surface and feeds mainly on insects that fall onto the water, small crustaceans, plankton, and tiny aquatic organisms. The Estuarine Halfbeak is an important part of Sri Lanka’s coastal and estuarine ecosystems, acting as both a predator of small organisms and a food source for larger fish. Protection of mangroves, lagoons, and healthy estuarine habitats is important for maintaining its populations.