Atlantic flyingfish

C. melanurus is a four-winged species with two large wings at the front of its body and two smaller wings behind them. Atlantic flyingfish tend to reach around , but the standard length for measurement is 226 millimeters. The longest recorded individual was , although this length is highly uncommon. Like many other flyingfishes, the Atlantic flyingfish has a cylindrical body, large tail, and pectoral fins that it uses for flight. Atlantic flyingfish have generally green to blue coloration dorsally, and white or silver ventrally. They also have a dark dorsal fin, a transparent anal fin, and a darkly colored caudal fin. Distinguishing traits Although present in some species of Cheilopogon, palatine teeth are absent in C. melanurus. Moreover, the chin barbels of the Atlantic flyingfish are short in relation to other fish of the same genus. The Atlantic flyingfish can be easily mistaken for the congeneric Mediterranean flyingfish, Cheilopogon heterurus, as they closely resemble one another and have comparable features. Juvenile traits Their juvenile appearance differs from adult Atlantic flyingfish. The dorsal fins of juveniles are often unevenly pigmented, and they tend to have short mandibular barbels on their chins which are sensory organs used to sense their surroundings. Young Atlantic flyingfish up to can have transparent pectorals and often swim in harbors or bays. :124 The pectoral fin rays of juveniles are short in comparison to adults. At the time of hatching, Atlantic flyingfish are only in length and sexual maturity is not reached until around in length. ==Distribution and habitat==

As its name suggests, the Atlantic flyingfish is only found in the pelagic to neritic zones of the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic flyingfish live in surface waters near shore,. waters from Massachusetts south to Brazil. while in the north, they are found off the coast of Canada. Off Africa, Atlantic flyingfish are known from Senegal to Liberia and have been reported from São Tomé and Príncipe. They are especially abundant off the coast of North Carolina and other nearby regions of the Atlantic Ocean. == Biology ==

Locomotion When flying, a distinctive pattern in the water can be made by beating its tail. To fly, the Atlantic flyingfish jumps out of the water, uses its pectoral fins to catch air currents and provide lift, and beats its tail back and forth to provide thrust. s (Fort Pierce) Diet The Atlantic flyingfish primarily consumes zooplankton using its gill rakers and surface feeding techniques. Their diet is highly linked to their epipelagic habitat preference, as plankton can be found in shallow or top layers of water. However, the gills of the Atlantic flyingfish, which are vital for effective feeding, can be subject to parasites such as parasitic flatworms of the suborder Gastrocotylinae. C. melanurus eggs have filaments that support the attachment to other eggs or vegetation in the water. Often, larger females will release a greater number of eggs during reproduction. Ripe eggs are up to 1.8 to 1.9 millimeters in diameter and the filaments cover the full surface of the egg at this size. == Conservation status and economic importance ==

In regions such as the Gulf of Guinea, the Atlantic flyingfish provides high economic value for artisanal fleet fishing. In a study by Zacarias et al. in São Tomé and Príncipe, researchers found C. melanurus to be the most important small-scale fishing catch with the highest occurrence rate in comparison to eight other local species. However, this paper also draws in concern for the fishing market of C. melanurus, stating that in comparison to previous studies, the number of small-scale-caught fish has reduced which may cause a threat to food security across the country. Research also indicates that C. melanurus is often highly targeted by Liberian fishermen due to their pelagic nature, making them an accessible resource to locals. In terms of the United States, the Atlantic flyingfish is minimally researched off the southeastern coast due to its low economic influence and minimal use for this area. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Atlantic flyingfish is of least concern in terms of its conservation concern. This species is very well-distributed and remains abundant in the areas it inhabits. The population trend is unknown, and the scope of its assessment was global. However, the date of its last assessment by the IUCN was January 2013 meaning it should be reassessed within the next couple years. ==References==