| Family: |
Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes) |
| Max. size: |
30 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 1 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Subtropical waters of all oceans. Eastern Atlantic: occasional to Spain and English Channel, western Mediterranean (a separate population migrates to the southeastern part in winter), Portugal to Mauritania and from south of Namibia; also off the Cape, South Africa (Ref. 2797). Possibly in Ascension I. (Ref. 98447). Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda to southern Brazil (Ref. 7251). Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 10-13; Vertebrae: 45-47. This species is distinguished by the following characters: elongated body is nearly rectangular in cross-section, almost flat ventrally, its depth 6.2 to 7.9 times in standard length (SL); 45-47 vertebrae; 25-30 predorsal scales; scales in transverse row 6 to 7.5, usually 6.5; the head 4.2-5.2 times in SL: eye 3.1-3.3 times in head; subequal jaws; jaw teeth conspicuous, conical; no palatine teeth; gill rakers on first arch 25-31; dorsal fin low, with 10-12 rays; anal fin with 10-13 rays, originating slightly before, or 1-2 rays behind dorsal-fin origin; pectoral fins 1.3-1.4 times in SL and with 16-18 rays, first 2 rays unbranched; pelvic fins 2.8-3.4 times in SL, inserted slightly nearer to posterior margin of opercle than origin of caudal fin base: juveniles without barbel (Ref. 109257). Colour of body dark, iridescent blue above, silvery white below; dorsal and caudal fins greyish, other fins hyaline (Ref. 2797); pectoral fins black without unpigmented cross-band and with a narrow light outer margin; pelvic fins usually without black spot (Ref. 109257); juveniles elongate, paired fins black (Ref. 2797). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits oceanic surface waters. Capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for considerable distances above the surface (Ref. 3720). Feeds on zooplankton (Ref. 109257). Eggs with bunch of filaments opposed by a single filament on opposite pole (Ref. 6523). Reported to have no importance to fisheries (Ref. 109257). Depth assumed from ecology data. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
