Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2009
Garfish (Beloniformes, Belonidae) are surface-dwelling, predatory fish characterized by elongate bodies and long beak-like jaws. Most are oceanic, but some species occur in estuaries and rivers. There are thirty-two species worldwide (Collette, 1982), of which until recently only one, Belone belone (L.) was known to be present in the waters of northern Europe. However, the existence of a second species, Belone svetovidovi Collette and Parin, was reported by Dorman (1984) from the south coast of Ireland. To date, thirty-one specimens of this fish have been captured in Courtmacsherry Bay, Co. Cork. This paper gives some details of these fish and how they may be distinguished from B. belone.