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Black-finned flying-fish (Hirundichthys speculiger) — Exocoetidae

Black-finned flying-fish

Hirundichthys speculiger
Family: Exocoetidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-finned flying-fish (Hirundichthys speculiger) is a saltwater fish of the family Exocoetidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The mirrorwing flyingfish is a flyingfish (Exocoetidae) from the warm parts of the world ocean. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender, silvery body with greatly enlarged, wing-like pectoral fins. When threatened it shoots out of the water and glides on these 'wings' for tens of metres through the air to escape predators. It lives at the surface of the open ocean and feeds on zooplankton. It spawns year-round in warm water; the eggs have sticky filaments with which they attach to floating material. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-finned flying-fish?

The Black-finned flying-fish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black-finned flying-fish live?

The Black-finned flying-fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Black-finned flying-fish get?

The Black-finned flying-fish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Black-finned flying-fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-finned flying-fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-finned flying-fish edible?

Yes, the Black-finned flying-fish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spiegelvleugel-vliegende vis sourced
English name
Black-finned flying-fish verified
Scientific name
Hirundichthys speculiger
Family
Exocoetidae
Other names
Cuvier's flying fish; Flying fish; Flyingfish; Mirrorfinned flying-fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hirundichthys

More from the family Exocoetidae

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