sharpchin flyingfish
Fodiator acutus
Flyingfish of the Mexican Pacific, which lives at the surface and glides long distances over the water. It is used mainly commercially.
Also called: peixe-voador, peixe-voador-pontudo, volador picudo, sharpchin flyingfish
- maximum
- 25 cm
- depth
- 0–30 m
who is the sharpchin flyingfish
The pointed flyingfish belongs to the family Exocoetidae and reaches 25 cm. It lives near the sea surface, in coastal and oceanic waters, from 0 to 30 m deep, and can enter brackish water. It can leap out of the water and glide long distances above the surface, as is typical of the family. In Latin America it occurs in Mexico, in the eastern Pacific, where it has commercial use. It also occurs on the west coast of Africa, from Dakar to Luanda, and along the coast of the United States.
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 sharpchin flyingfish.
identification
Elongated, silvery body, with broad pectoral fins typical of the family, which serve to glide over the surface. It lives near the surface and is able to leap out of the water and glide long distances. It occurs in coastal and open waters, and is commercially caught.
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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
In Latin America, it occurs in Mexico, in the eastern Pacific.
Habitat: Sea surface, in coastal and oceanic waters, from 0 to 30 m.
rules for the sharpchin 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.
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.
Harmless to anglers. It is a small, delicate fish: handle it carefully and release it 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: Fodiator acutus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Fodiator acutusNames by country and language.