Exocoetus obtusirostris Günther, 1866
Oceanic two-wing flyingfish
Exocoetus obtusirostris
photo by FAO

Family:  Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Max. size:  24 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  South Pacific: between 10°S and 32°S, from Australia to Ecuador (Ref. 5530) and Peru. Eastern Atlantic: South of Azores and Madeira to Angola, individual stragglers off Portugal and in the Mediterranean (Ref. 6523). Western Atlantic: off New Jersey and Florida to the northern Gulf of Mexico and Brazil (Ref. 7251). Uncommon in the Antilles (Ref. 51183). Conspecificity of the Atlantic and Pacific populations needs confirmation (Ref. 27313).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Occurs in surface waters, both near and far from the coast (Ref. 5217). Capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for considerable distances above the surface.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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