tropical two-wing flyingfish
Exocoetus volitans
Surface flyingfish that jumps out of the water and glides over long distances. It enters commercial fishing and is rarely caught on rod and line.
Also called: avuador-do-alto, peixe-voador, peixe-avuador-grande, two-wing flyingfish
- maximum
- 30 cm
- depth
- 0–20 m
who is the tropical two-wing flyingfish
Flyingfish of the family Exocoetidae. It reaches 30 cm and lives at the surface of tropical and subtropical seas, near and far from the coast, in schools. It can jump out of the water and glide over long distances above the surface. It feeds mainly on crustaceans and other small planktonic animals. Eggs and larvae are planktonic. It is a commercially fished species, and its schools serve as food for swordfish, tunas and other large fish.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the tropical two-wing flyingfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It is prey for swordfish, tunas and other large open-sea fish.
identification
Iridescent blue back and silvery belly. The pectorals and tail are grey, and the other fins have almost no color. Juveniles may or may not have dark bars on the body. It looks like the fourwing flyingfish (Hirundichthys affinis), which has dark pectorals with a white edge, and like the short-finned flyingfish (Parexocoetus brachypterus), which has a black dorsal fin.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It occurs along almost the entire Latin American coast, from the Caribbean to Chile, including Brazil, in tropical and subtropical sea surface.
Habitat: Sea surface, in schools, 0 to 20 m, near and far from the coast.
coast
rules for the tropical two-wing flyingfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It poses no danger to people. Handle it with wet hands and return it to the water quickly.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00646, b = 3.04; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Exocoetus volitans (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Exocoetus volitansNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
