Page 110 - Invasive_Species_2013

Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

FISHES

Reproduction Common name: African sailfin flyingfish

Pectoral fins high on Black dorsal fin
identification
sides and very enlarged

Scientific Name:
Parexocoetus mento
Picture

Key identifying features
The body is elongated, compressed and rounded
ventrally. It is up to 12 cm (commonly 7–10 cm) in Brief history lower lobe of caudal fin
length. The dorsal colour is dark blue, with a silvery longer than upper lobe
white belly. The dorsal fin is dark and the pectoral
fins are greyish.
It has a short head, large eyes and a small mouth
with the upper jaw protruding. The dorsal fin has 9– the African sailfin flyingfish is threatened, it can
12 soft rays, and the anal fin 10–12 soft rays; the leap out of the water and glide over the surface.
longest dorsal fin rays barely reach the tail fin base. Reproduction
The anal fin base lies directly below the dorsal fin
Flyingfish eggs are negatively buoyant and
base. The tail fin is deeply forked, and its lower
typically have long sticky filaments that serve to
lobe is longer than the upper. The pectoral fin is
attach them to floating objects.
long; the pelvic fins have 13–14 soft rays but they
do not reach beyond the anal fin base.

Field identification signs and
habitat
It is mainly found in large schools in near-shore
waters and never spreads to the open sea. When

Parexocoetus mento. Photo: Philip C. Heemstra - CIESM Atlas of Exotic Fishes in the Mediterranean

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