Tropical two-wing flyingfish

http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Exocoetus-volitans.html
Classification / Names
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Beloniformes (Needle fishes) > Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Main reference
Parin, N.V. 1996. (Ref. 27313)
References | Biblio | Coordinator : Parin, Nikolay V. | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age
Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9987); common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5217)

Environment
Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 20 m

Climate / Range
Subtropical

Distribution
Widespread in tropical and subtropical zones of all oceans including the western Mediterranean Sea and part of the Caribbean Sea (Ref. 3720), probably absent in the inland seas of southeastern Asia (Sulawesi Sea, Sulu Sea, Flores, Banda, Ceram and Halmahera seas (Ref. 27313)), and the Benguela Current (Ref. 4498). Eastern Pacific: Mexico to central Chile; also the Galapagos and Hawaii. Western Pacific: Japan, Marshall Islands, Philippines, Australia (Ref. 5530), and Tahiti.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions | Stocks

Short description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14; Vertebrae: 43 - 46. Body dark, iridescent blue above, silvery white below; pectorals and caudal fin greyish, other fins not pigmented (Ref. 2797). Juveniles with or without black bars. Branchiostegal rays: 9-11 (Ref. 36606).

Biology Glossary (e.g. epibenthic)
Adults occur in surface waters, both near and far from the coast . Form schools. Capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for long distances above the surface. Feed mostly on crustaceans and other planktonic animals. Preyed upon by swordfish, tunas and many other larger pelagic fishes . Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae .