Mediterranean flyingfish (Cheilopogon heterurus)

Scientific name: Cheilopogon heterurus Rafinesque, 1810

Mediterranean flyingfish (Cheilopogon heterurus)

The Mediterranean flyingfish (Cheilopogon heterurus) is a marine fish of the family Exocoetidae.

Biology

Pelagic, coastal species which can fly over long distances. It is thought that this behavior is a means to escape danger. This flying fish is not commercially exploited although it is very good to eat. Spawns during summer in Italian waters. Eggs with filaments over the entire surface.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Cheilopogon heterurus
Family
Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Order
Beloniformes (Needle fishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
40.0
Common length
15.0
Environment
Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: southern Norway and Denmark (rare) to Gibraltar and western Mediterranean. Western Atlantic: around Bermuda. Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia and Victoria, Australia. Also throughout subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of potential interest
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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