| Family: |
Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes) |
| Max. size: |
40 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and South Africa (including the Mascarenes, Ref. 33390) to southern Japan, Taiwan, Mariana, Caroline and Solomon islands, Queensland and the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819). Western Atlantic: New Jersey, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 7251) to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Guinea to Gabon. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Body dark, iridescent blue dorsally, silvery white below; pectorals bluish black; dorsal fin with prominent black spot (Ref. 2797). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits both neritic and oceanic surface waters (Ref. 30573). Capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for long distances above the surface (Ref. 30573). Feeds mostly on crustaceans and other planktonic organisms; often attracted to lights at night (Ref. 2797). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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