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Family
Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Species Currently in the DFL
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About This Family
Distribution:
Circumglobal
Habitat:
Marine; tropical to warm temperate waters.
Remarks:
The family Exocoetidae, also known as flying fishes, belongs to a few fish groups that can actively glide in the air. Their unusually large pectoral fins, which exhibit the appearance of a flying, four-winged fish, enable them to take short gliding flights above water. They are found circumglobal in tropical to warm temperate waters. Their jaws are equal in length or slightly shorter; caudal fin deeply furcated; 39-51 vertebrae; a pair of long, flaplike barbels present in juveniles. Flying fishes can reach a maximum length of 45 cm.
The family Exocoetidae is composed of 5 subfamilies, 8 genera, and about 52 species.
References:
Nelson 2006