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Bluntnose flyingfish (Prognichthys gibbifrons) — Exocoetidae

Bluntnose flyingfish

Prognichthys gibbifrons
Family: Exocoetidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Bluntnose flyingfish (Prognichthys gibbifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Exocoetidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Atlantic Ocean
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The bluntnose flyingfish is a flyingfish from the tropical and subtropical Atlantic. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a streamlined, blue-silver body with greatly enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins that work like wings. When threatened it shoots out of the water and glides tens of metres over the surface to escape predators. It schools at the surface of open water and feeds on small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluntnose flyingfish?

The Bluntnose flyingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Greatly enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins like wings; glides over the water surface

Where does the Bluntnose flyingfish live?

The Bluntnose flyingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Atlantic Ocean

How big does the Bluntnose flyingfish get?

The Bluntnose flyingfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Bluntnose flyingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluntnose flyingfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bluntnose flyingfish edible?

The Bluntnose flyingfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluntnose flyingfish verified
Scientific name
Prognichthys gibbifrons
Family
Exocoetidae
Other names
Bluntnose flyingfish; Flyingfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Natural range
Atlantic Ocean verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling surface flying fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Greatly enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins like wings; glides over the water surface 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
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Prognichthys

More from the family Exocoetidae

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