Prognichthys sealei Abe, 1955
Sailor flyingfish
photo by FAO

Family:  Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Max. size:  19 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Samoa. Eastern Central Pacific: off the coast of Central America (Ref. 9033). Not occurring in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Probably absent in inland seas of southeast Asia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-10
Biology:  Found in oceanic surface waters. Leaps out of the water and glides for considerable distances above the surface.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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