Species: Hirundichthys affinis, Fourwing Flyingfish

Hirundichthys affinis (Gunther, 1866)

Fourwing Flyingfish

Elongate, broadly cylindrical bodies; head 22.7-25.6% SL; snout short and blunt; mouth small, short, blunt, jaws about equal in length; jaw teeth conspicuous, conical; no teeth on sides of roof of mouth; 24-30 gill rakers; fins without spines; dorsal fin very low, 10-12 rays; anal 11-13 rays; anal origin slightly before or 1-2 rays after dorsal origin; pectoral 63-74% SL, reaching past anal base, only 1st ray unbranched, 16-18 rays, 1st (and sometimes 2nd) pectoral ray unbranched; pelvic origin nearer rear margin of operculum than base of tail fin, fin reaching just past anal base; tail deeply forked with a much longer lower lobe; scales large, smooth, easily shed; 6-33 scales before dorsal fin; lateral line low on the body, no branch to origin of pectoral; juveniles without barbels under chin.

Body bluey green above, pale below; dorsal and tail fins dusky; anal fin clear; pelvics light; pectoral dark grey with clear triangular crossbar and narrow white outer margin; dorsal and tail fins dusky, other fins clear. Juvenile: pectorals and pelvics mottled with dark spots and bars.

Size: 29 cm.

Habitat: inshore and offshore pelagic.

Depth: surface, 0-20 m.

Tropical Atlantic.