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Blotchwing flyingfish (Cheilopogon hubbsi) — Exocoetidae

Blotchwing flyingfish

Cheilopogon hubbsi
Family: Exocoetidae

The Blotchwing flyingfish (Cheilopogon hubbsi) is a saltwater fish of the family Exocoetidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; epipelagic in coastal waters.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Hubbs' flyingfish is a flyingfish (Exocoetidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has a torpedo-shaped, silvery body and greatly enlarged pectoral fins that act as wings. When threatened it shoots out of the water and glides considerable distances above the surface to escape predators. It lives epipelagically in coastal waters and feeds on small zooplankton. It is an important prey fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blotchwing flyingfish?

The Blotchwing flyingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Enlarged pectoral fins as wings; glides above the water surface to escape predators.

Where does the Blotchwing flyingfish live?

The Blotchwing flyingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Eastern Pacific; epipelagic in coastal waters.

How big does the Blotchwing flyingfish get?

The Blotchwing flyingfish grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.

Is the Blotchwing flyingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blotchwing flyingfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blotchwing flyingfish edible?

The Blotchwing flyingfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Blotchwing flyingfish verified
Scientific name
Cheilopogon hubbsi
Family
Exocoetidae
Other names
Blotchwing flyingfish; Flyingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; epipelagic in coastal waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Enlarged pectoral fins as wings; glides above the water surface to escape predators. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cheilopogon

More from the family Exocoetidae

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