Cheilopogon exsiliens (Linnaeus, 1771)
Bandwing flyingfish
photo by Porcelli, D.

Family:  Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range - 0 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Cape Cod, Massachusetts (USA), Bermuda and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil; rare or absent in the Caribbean Sea (Ref. 3720). Records from the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean need verification (Ref. 6523). Absent from the Caribbean (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-12. Black spot on dorsal fin; pectoral fin dark (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Mainly found in the surface of oceanic waters, occasionally near the coast (Ref. 5217). Capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for long distances above the surface (Ref. 3720).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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