Fin's Fish Guide
The Blue flying fish (Exocoetus volitans) is a saltwater fish of the family Exocoetidae that grows up to 30 cm.
Worldwide in tropical and subtropical surface waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Description
The blue flying fish is a slender oceanic fish of the family Exocoetidae reaching about 30 cm. The torpedo-shaped body, blue-green above and silvery below, bears greatly enlarged, wing-like pectoral fins. With these the fish shoots out of the water when threatened and glides, using rapid tail beats as a launch motor, up to hundreds of metres over the waves to escape predators such as tuna and dolphinfish. The species lives at the surface of tropical and subtropical open seas, including the warmer Atlantic, and hunts plankton at night. The eggs drift in the surface water with sticky threads. Because of its life in the open sea it is hardly targeted by fisheries.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Blue flying fish?
The Blue flying fish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Oceanic fish with hugely enlarged, wing-like pectoral fins with which it shoots out of the water and glides hundreds of metres over the waves to escape predators.
Where does the Blue flying fish live?
The Blue flying fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Worldwide in tropical and subtropical surface waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean.
How big does the Blue flying fish get?
The Blue flying fish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.
Is the Blue flying fish dangerous to humans?
No, the Blue flying fish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Blue flying fish edible?
The Blue flying fish is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Blue flying fish and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Exocoetus
More from the family Exocoetidae
Want the complete picture on the Blue flying fish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blue flying fish is one of 12,519 species in the app.