Cheilopogon heterurus (Rafinesque, 1810)
Mediterranean flyingfish
Cheilopogon heterurus
photo by Consoli, P.

Family:  Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: southern Norway and Denmark (rare) to Gibraltar and western Mediterranean. Western Atlantic: around Bermuda (Ref. 26938). Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia (Ref. 49596) and Victoria, Australia (Ref. 33839). Also throughout subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean (Ref. 33839).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Pelagic, coastal species which can fly over long distances. It is thought that this behavior is a means to escape danger. This flying fish is not commercially exploited although it is very good to eat (Ref. 5377). Spawns during summer in Italian waters. Eggs with filaments over the entire surface (Ref. 6523).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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