Fish
European Garfish
Belone belone
On a calm May evening off the Atlantic coast, a European garfish skims across the surface, a silver needle trailing a wake as it chases a shoal of tiny fish.
Overview
The European garfish, Belone belone, is a Least Concern needlefish of open and coastal waters from the north-eastern Atlantic to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Its long beak, leaping habit, and bright green bones make it one of the strangest-looking fish to arrive on northern European coasts each spring.
A fish with green bones
The green colour of the European garfish’s skeleton comes from a harmless pigment, and the flesh itself is white and well-flavoured when cooked.
Status
Least Concern, though numbers vary from year to year.
European Garfish: common questions
Are European garfish bones really green?
Yes, they are bright green due to a harmless pigment, and the fish is perfectly safe to eat.
Why does the European garfish have such a long beak?
Its long, narrow jaws, armed with many small, sharp teeth, are used to seize small fish near the surface.
Is the European garfish related to the gar?
No, it belongs to a different group, the needlefishes, though it has a similar long, toothy beak.
Where is the European garfish found?
It lives in open and coastal waters of the north-eastern Atlantic, the North Sea, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea.