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Blacksail flyingfish (Cypselurus simus) — Exocoetidae

Blacksail flyingfish

Cypselurus simus
Family: Exocoetidae

The Blacksail flyingfish (Cypselurus simus) is a saltwater fish of the family Exocoetidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blacksail flyingfish is a flyingfish (Exocoetidae) from the open surface water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender, streamlined, blue-silver body with greatly enlarged, wing-like pectoral fins bearing a dark blotch and an uneven tail. To escape predators it shoots from the water and glides long distances through the air. As a schooling fish it snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacksail flyingfish?

The Blacksail flyingfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Blacksail flyingfish live?

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

How big does the Blacksail flyingfish get?

The Blacksail flyingfish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Blacksail flyingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacksail flyingfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blacksail flyingfish edible?

Yes, the Blacksail flyingfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartzeil-vliegende vis sourced
English name
Blacksail flyingfish sourced
Scientific name
Cypselurus simus
Family
Exocoetidae
Other names
Short-nosed flying fish; Short-nosed flyingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cypselurus

More from the family Exocoetidae

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