Q : We made a night sharking trip to an area called Ryan's Horn about 25 miles southeast of Montauk, New York, where these fish were attracted to our lights. I have heard of a fish called a "halfbeak," but I'm not sure that's what these are. The water temperature was 63 degrees. Can you identify them?

Andy Siegel
Newtown, Connecticut

A: The fish in your photos are juvenile Atlantic sauries, Scomberesox saurus. They're actually in the same order as halfbeaks but in a different family. Notice the tiny finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins. Halfbeaks don't have these. Both the upper and lower jaws are more elongated in adults, which may reach more than 30 inches long. These very abundant fish are critically important as food for other fishes. They are also important as food for human consumption in Europe but have never caught on here in North America. Incidentally, night-lighting is a commonly used commercial-fishing technique. — Mike Fahay