Hirundichthys indicus
Hirundichthys indicus Shakhovskoy & Parin, 2013

Family:  Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Max. size:  19.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range - 0 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: widely distributed in western and central open ocean, from East Africa to the meridian of 96° E, and from 15° S to the northern Arabian Sea, southern Bay of Bengal (but does not enter the coastal water, only at its outlet), Andaman Sea, but not in Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, western Arabian Sea,and northern Bay of Bengal.
Diagnosis:  H. indicus indicus differs from H. indicus orientalis by the absence of a dark spot on the ventral fins in specimens larger than 15.1 cm (usually the spot is absent already in fishes larger than 13.5 cm), as well as by having some less number of predorsal scales: 26-35 (modally 28-30) (Ref. 93339).
Biology:  Caught in surface waters over the depths 390-7219 m, usually 2000-6000 m (mean 4129 m) (Ref. 93339). Juveniles of this species under 10.0 cm SL were caught in all seasons, indicating a year-round spawning of this species, with a highly pronounced peak in the summer and autumn months. Mature fishes appear at 16.0 cm SL or more (Ref. 93339).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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