Exocoetidae: CH I A2

Cheilopogon nigricans (Bennett, 1840)

Blacksail flyingfish

Egg diameter in µm	Number of oil globules	Diameter of oil globule in µm	Yolk texture	Perivitelline space	Position of oil globule at hatch	Gut length   at eye- pigment stage	Myomeres
1990-2200	0	N/A	clear	narrow	N/A	?	?

Egg: This is another egg which, despite its rarity, is instantly recognizable by the long threads attached (A). The embryo develops a striking cluster of golden pigment blotches in the head and trunk (A). 

Larva: The huge pectoral and pelvic fins render the larva unmistakable.

Ikeda & Mito (1988) illustrate a similar egg, but with a multiple oil globule, which this egg lacks.  A barcode from a larva collected as an egg in December 2013 has matched Cheilopogon nigricans (BOLD).

This egg was rare in the Park Rynie area, with only 7 seen in 25 years, last seen in December 2005. The limited data shows it to be an early summer spawner (blue graph).