Family Exocoetidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata | |
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Similar Cheilopogon, Exocoetus monocirrhus, Beloniformes, Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus japonicus | ||
Cheilopogon nigricans, the blacksail flyingfish, also known as African flyingfish, or Leaping flyingfish, is a flying fish in the family Exocoetidae. It is an oceanodromous plankton eating marine fish which has a commercial value.
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Description
Like many other flyingfishes, the blacksail flyingfish has a cylindrical body, and large tail and pectoral fins that it uses for flight. Most adults are roughly 28 cm long and are generally dark iridescent blue above, silvery white below. Pectoral fins are black and with a yellowish stripe in middle. Pelvic fins have prominent black spot, which can clearly identify the species. Juveniles are different to the adults by the presence of dark bars on body. There are 13 to 15 dorsal soft rays and 8 to 11 anal soft rays.
Distribution and habitat
The blacksail flyingfish is a widely spread fish that can be found tropical water of Indian, West Pacific and parts of Atlantic oceans. It can be seen along Brazil, South Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sumatra, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Fiji, Borneo, and Australia.