Fishes Active day and night

Bennett's Flyingfish

Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Master of the waves and the air, Bennett's Flyingfish is a shimmering marvel of evolution. Watch as this oceanic acrobat launches itself from the deep to glide effortlessly across the surface.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) in length, with some individuals reaching up to 50 cm (20 inches).

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Colors

Deep indigo to dark blue on the back with a shimmering silvery-white belly; pectoral fins are dark with pale margins.

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Key Features

Oversized pectoral fins extending to the tail
Asymmetrical forked tail with a longer lower lobe
Streamlined, cylindrical body shape
Prominent, high-set eyes for surface navigation

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours Dusk and Dawn (6-8 AM, 6-9 PM)

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Season Year-round in tropics; Summer and Autumn in subtropical zones

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Diet Primarily a planktivore, feeding on zooplankton, small crustaceans, and the larvae of other marine species near the surface.

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Habitat Epipelagic zone of open oceans and warm coastal waters.

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Where Does the Bennett's Flyingfish Live?

Bennett's Flyingfish is a circumglobal species found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. In the Western Atlantic, they are common from the coast of the United States down to Brazil, while in the Pacific, they range from Japan to Australia and across to the shores of California and Mexico. They are particularly abundant in areas where warm currents meet continental shelves, making them a common sight for coastal residents in Florida, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.

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8 Countries

140M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States JP Japan AU Australia BR Brazil MX Mexico ZA South Africa PT Portugal ES Spain

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Bennett's Flyingfish are famous for their remarkable ability to 'fly,' which is actually a sophisticated gliding technique used to escape predators like mahi-mahi and tuna. By beating their tails rapidly—up to 50 times per second—while still submerged, they generate enough thrust to break the surface at speeds exceeding 35 miles per hour. Once airborne, they spread their large pectoral fins like wings to glide over the waves, often covering distances of over 150 feet in a single flight.

Underwater, these fish are highly social and travel in loose schools near the ocean's surface. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular feeders, staying in deeper, cooler water during the heat of the day and rising to the surface as the sun sets. While they are not aggressive toward humans, they are often attracted to the lights of vessels at night, sometimes accidentally landing on the decks of boats or piers.

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Camera Tips

Capturing Bennett's Flyingfish on a trail camera requires a coastal or boat-based setup, as these are oceanic dwellers. For those with a 'backyard' overlooking the sea, the most effective technique is to mount a waterproof camera on a pier or dock railing roughly 2 to 3 feet above the water line. Angle the camera horizontally across the water's surface rather than looking down; this perspective allows you to capture the full profile of the fish during its glide. Because they are incredibly fast, use the highest frame rate your camera supports (at least 60fps) to avoid motion blur.

To attract these fish to your camera's field of view at night, utilize a submerged or surface-level LED light. Bennett’s Flyingfish are naturally drawn to light sources in the dark, which attract the plankton they feed on and provide a visual lure for the fish themselves. A green or white light is often most effective. Ensure your camera's PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor is set to its highest sensitivity, or better yet, use a time-lapse mode with 1-second intervals if the trigger speed isn't fast enough to catch a fish mid-glide.

Placement is key relative to the wind and waves. These fish typically launch themselves into the wind to gain more lift, so if you are on a boat or a coastline with a prevailing breeze, aim your camera 'downwind' to catch them flying toward you. During the summer months when coastal waters are warmest, they are more likely to venture closer to shore. If using a camera on a moving boat, a hull-mounted waterproof camera looking outward from the wake can capture stunning footage of them using the boat's displacement to launch their glides.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bennett's Flyingfish.

Margined Flyingfish

Features a distinct dark spot on the dorsal fin and generally smaller pectoral 'wings' compared to Bennett's.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bennett's Flyingfish are most active during the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk, though they also feed heavily at night when plankton is most abundant near the surface.

Since they are marine fish, you can only attract them if your 'backyard' is a dock or boat. They are highly attracted to artificial lights over the water at night.

They primarily eat zooplankton and small crustaceans. Their foraging is focused on the top few meters of the ocean where these tiny organisms concentrate.

They are only common in coastal suburban areas with access to deep, warm salt water, such as beachfront properties in Florida or Hawaii.

You can identify Bennett's Flyingfish by its larger size (up to 20 inches) and its dark, almost black pectoral fins which lack the bright spots found on some other species.

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