Cheilopogon melanurus (Valenciennes, 1847)
Atlantic flyingfish
photo by Vaske Jr., T.

Family:  Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Max. size:  32 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Gulf Stream waters off Massachusetts, USA to southern Brazil. Caribbean including Antilles (Ref. 26938). Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Liberia (Ref. 4498). Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951). Reported from Sao Tome Island (Ref. 34088).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Generally found in surface waters near the coast (Ref. 5217). Capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for long distances above the surface (Ref. 3613).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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