Species: Prognichthys occidentalis, Bluntnose Flyingfish, Western Bluntnose Flyingfish

Prognichthys occidentalis Parin, 1999

Bluntnose Flyingfish, Western Bluntnose Flyingfish

Body elongate, nearly rectangular in cross-section, almost flat below; snout short; eye large (56-71% of head behind eye); mouth small, short, blunt, lower jaw a little shorter than upper and enclosed by latter when mouth is shut; 20-26 gill rakers; fins without spines; dorsal fin low, 10-13 rays; anal fin 8-10 (usually 9) rays, originates under 4th-5th dorsal fin ray; pectoral reaches past anal base, first 2 rays unbranched; pelvic origin closer to operculum than to tail fin base, fin reaches middle of anal fin base; tail deeply forked with a longer lower lobe; scales large, smooth, easily shed; 22-28 scales on nape before dorsal fin; lateral line low on the body, no branch of lateral line to origin of pectoral; juveniles without chin barbels; robust and blunt snouted, pectorals and pelvics of similar length.

Dark above, pale below; dorsal and tail fins greyish; anal fin transparent; pectorals brown, with pale outer tip and lower part. Juveniles < 4 cm: body and fins dark, pectorals with a light crossbar in larger juveniles.

Size: 23 cm.

Habitat: nearshore pelagic.

Depth: surface, 0-5 m?

N US to Argentina.