Mediterranean flyingfish (Cheilopogon heterurus) fish species and information / pictures of Mediterranean flyingfish - Cheilopogon heterurus

Mediterranean flyingfish (Cheilopogon heterurus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Cheilopogon heterurus

Common Name
Mediterranean flyingfish

Biology
Pelagic, coastal species which can fly over long distances. It is thought that this behavior is a means to escape danger. This flying fish is not commercially exploited although it is very good to eat (Ref. 5377). Spawns during summer in Italian waters. Eggs with filaments over the entire surface (Ref. 6523).

Classification

Classified By

Rafinesque, 1810

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Needle fishes (Beloniformes)

Family

Flyingfishes (Exocoetidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: southern Norway and Denmark (rare) to Gibraltar and western Mediterranean. Western Atlantic: around Bermuda (Ref. 26938). Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia (Ref. 49596) and Victoria, Australia (Ref. 33839). Also throughout subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean (Ref. 33839).

Range

59°N - 30°N, 65°W - 16°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic-neritic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.4 s.e. 0.45 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

40.0 cm

Common Length

15.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of potential interest

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (21 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated