Clearwing Flyingfish

Cypselurus comatus

Exocoetidae · saltwater water fish

1 minute read · Species guide

Clearwing Flyingfish field guide illustration

About Clearwing Flyingfish

Clearwing flyingfish lives near the surface in coastal western Atlantic waters. Its recorded range extends from Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico south to Brazil.

Surface-water life

FishBase characterizes it as a marine, shelf-associated pelagic species. It can leap clear of the sea and glide for substantial distances above the surface. The species is also classified as making movements within marine waters. The source gives little additional detail about the timing or routes of those movements.

Sources: Cypselurus comatus species summary

Guide sources

Research reviewed 2026-10-19.

Range

Where it lives

Share of 17 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 4 states.
0%
76.5%
Share of 17 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 4 states.

Habitat

Water and movement

Water
WoRMS records this species in the sea.

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Beloniformes
Genus
Cypselurus
Species
Cypselurus comatus
ITIS TSN
165435
WoRMS AphiaID
278731
GBIF key
5207913
Outside the US
ITIS also files it in Caribbean Territories, Mexico.

Common questions about Clearwing Flyingfish

What is the scientific name of Clearwing Flyingfish?
The scientific name is Cypselurus comatus, in the family Exocoetidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Clearwing Flyingfish live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in the sea.
Where has Clearwing Flyingfish been recorded in the United States?
GBIF has observations in 4 states, with the most records in Florida, North Carolina, Massachusetts. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Same family

More Exocoetidae