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Limpidwing flyingfish (Cheilopogon unicolor) — Exocoetidae

Limpidwing flyingfish

Cheilopogon unicolor
Family: Exocoetidae

The Limpidwing flyingfish (Cheilopogon unicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Exocoetidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Limpidwing flyingfish is a flyingfish (Exocoetidae) from the open surface water of the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender, streamlined, blue-silver body with greatly enlarged, wing-like pectoral fins and an uneven tail. To escape predators it shoots from the water and glides tens of metres 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 Limpidwing flyingfish?

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

Where does the Limpidwing flyingfish live?

The Limpidwing flyingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti and others

How big does the Limpidwing flyingfish get?

The Limpidwing flyingfish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Limpidwing flyingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Limpidwing 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 Limpidwing flyingfish edible?

Yes, the Limpidwing flyingfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Limpidwing flyingfish (Cheilopogon unicolor) — Exocoetidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) ecosystem-guides, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Limpidwing flyingfish (Cheilopogon unicolor) — Exocoetidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan / Alvin Seale (Public domain)
Limpidwing flyingfish (Cheilopogon unicolor) — Exocoetidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Limpidwing flyingfish (Cheilopogon unicolor) — Exocoetidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Paul Tavares, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Limpidwing flyingfish sourced
Scientific name
Cheilopogon unicolor
Family
Exocoetidae
Other names
Limpid-wing flyingfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 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)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Cook Is., Fiji, Tahiti and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Cheilopogon

More from the family Exocoetidae

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