Ballyhoo
Species Facts
Science Name: Hemiramphus brasiliensis
Other Names: bally
Size: Up to 16 inches.
Description

"The ballyhoo or bally, Hemiramphus brasiliensis, is a baitfish of the halfbeak family (Hemiramphidae). It is similar to the Balao halfbeak (Hemiramphus balao). Ballyhoo are frequently used as cut bait and for trolling purposes by saltwater sportsmen. Ballyhoo can also be seen above the waters skimming the surface to escape from their predators. The appearance is similar to skipping stones on the water. Ballyhoo is also used in colloquial American English to refer to brashness or flamboyance. The term Ballyhoo is used to indicate that one is using any means necessary to inflate an object or idea to a status to which it does not rise."

Sources

"Hemiramphus brasiliensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=165460. Retrieved 24 January 2006. Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2005). "Hemiramphus brasiliensis" in FishBase. November 2005 version.