Marine Life

Barbel flying fish

Naruvaa fulhangi

Exocoetus monocirrhus

Exocoetus monocirrhus, like other flying fishes, is capable of leaping out of the water and gliding for long distances above the surface to escape predators such as tunas and dolphin fishes. In this and other species, the lower lobe of the caudal fin is elongated and strengthened, allowing it to be dropped down into the sea surface when flying and beaten to provide an extra boost of flight.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 20 cm
color: Dark bluish above, silvery-white below. Dorsal and pelvic fins greyfish.
order: Beloniformes
family: Exocoetidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/exocoetus-monocirrhus.png
habitat and biology: This species inhabits the open ocean waters, where it feeds mainly on planktonic organisms.
distinctive characters: The fish has a dorsal fin with 13 or 14 rays, an anal fin with 12-14 rays, and their bases are opposite to each other. Its pelvic fins are short and closer to the pectoral fin origin than to the anal fin origin, while its pectoral fin is strikingly long and wing-like. Additionally, it has 21-29 gill rakers on the first gill arch, an elongated body with a depth usually greater than 20% of its standard length, and usually 7 transverse rows of scales between the dorsal fin origin and lateral line. Juveniles of this species are humpbacked with a single chin barbell and black pelvic fins.