Kingdom Animalia Family Exocoetidae Genus Parexocoetus Order Beloniformes | Class Actinopterygii Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Parexocoetus, Hirundichthys, Cheilopogon, Beloniformes, Exocoetus obtusirostris | ||
The sailfin flyingfish (Parexocoetus brachypterus) is a member of the flying fish family. Like other members its family, P. brachypterus is known for its ability to leap out of the water and glide above its surface. They have a distribution range that encompasses the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. It is an epipelagic fish and can be found in coastal waters but are rarely encountered in open oceans. They are known to spawn during the months of September to April in the waters near Barbados and Puerto Rico. Appearance wise, the sailfin flyingfish is known to have a robust build, blunt snout, short pectoral fins and having a long dorsal fin.
Importance to humans
P. brachypterus is not known as an important food fish and is merely considered as bycatch by the fishing industry. However, like other flying fishes, they can be prepared as salted fish by salting them and leaving them to dry out in the sun.