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Atlantic smallwing flyingfish (Oxyporhamphus micropterus) — Hemiramphidae

Atlantic smallwing flyingfish

Oxyporhamphus micropterus
Family: Hemiramphidae
LC · Least Concern

The Atlantic smallwing flyingfish (Oxyporhamphus micropterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiramphidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
18.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The smallwing halfbeak is a slender, oceanic fish of the halfbeak family (Hemiramphidae) living near the surface in the open tropical and subtropical oceans. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a blue-green back. Unlike most halfbeaks the adult lacks the elongated lower jaw. It is a true oceanic species, not bound to the coast, and schools to feed on small zooplankton and on fish eggs and larvae. Reproduction is oviparous with planktonic eggs and larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic smallwing flyingfish?

The Atlantic smallwing flyingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Atlantic smallwing flyingfish live?

The Atlantic smallwing flyingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Atlantic smallwing flyingfish get?

The Atlantic smallwing flyingfish grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Atlantic smallwing flyingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic smallwing flyingfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Atlantic smallwing flyingfish edible?

The Atlantic smallwing flyingfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinvleugel-halfsnavel sourced
English name
Atlantic smallwing flyingfish verified
Scientific name
Oxyporhamphus micropterus
Family
Hemiramphidae
Other names
Beaked flyingfish; Bigwing halfbeak verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Max depth (m)
1.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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

More from the family Hemiramphidae

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