Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish
Volador Picudo
(Fodiator acutus, Fodiator rostatus)

Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish, Fodiator acutus, Fodiator rostatus: The Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish is easy to identify and is not easily confused with other species. It is an iridescent blue color on the back and upper sides, silver below with grey “wings,” a black dorsal fin, and silver anal and pelvic fins.

Among the flyingfish, the head profile of the Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish is unique. The snout is pointed and longer than the width of the eye and has a protruding lower jaw. The pectoral fins are relatively short for a flying fish but reach the dorsal fin origin. The pelvic fins are short and do not reach the anal fin origin. The Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish has a branched lateral line that reaches the pectoral fin base.

This fish species is found in the first 20 feet of the water column, normally far out at sea. It is reported to reach a length of 10 inches. Due to its rarity, it is of limited value. It is a pelagic species found in all Mexican fishing waters.

The Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish is a member of the Exocoetidae Family known in Mexico fishing areas as voladores. Flyingfish are a global, pelagic species, normally found some distance out at sea. They have exceedingly long and wide pectoral fins which they use like wings, holding them rigid in place, allowing flights up to 300 meters, without a flapping motion. When swimming, these fins are held tight against the body. The fins have no spines. The lateral line is low on the body. The pelvic fin origin is closer to the anal fin origin than to the pectoral fin base. The anal fin origin is directly under the third dorsal ray.

Flyingfish have deeply forked tails with the lower lobe larger than the upper. They feed on planktonic organisms. They generate large, sticky eggs that attach themselves to floating debris. Globally, there are 65 species of flyingfish from nine genera. There are two global members of the Fodiator Genus, of which only one is found in Mexican fishing waters.

Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish fish picture 1

Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish fish picture 2

Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish fish picture 3

Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish fish picture 4

Pacific Sharpchin Flyingfish, Fodiator acutus, Fodiator rostatus: A rare species that showed up with the purchase of a “scoop of bait” in June 2007. Caught while fishing in the surf zone, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, early morning, in water 5 to 10 feet deep, utilizing a cast net by a panguero bait salesman. Size approximately 7 inches. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow.

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