Distribution and habitat occurrence of flying fish (Exocoetidae) along a longitudinal gradient in the Southeast Pacific Ocean

Abstract

We characterized the distribution and relative density of flying fish across the Salas & Gómez, Nazca and Juan Fernández ridges to evaluate their relationship with key oceanographic variables using standardized visual strip‐transect surveys. Our results show that flying fish have a highly restricted distribution, occurring mainly in warm, oligotrophic waters, with peak densities concentrated around the Salas & Gómez Ridge. These observations offer new insight into the environmental constraints shaping Exocoetidae distribution, underscoring the need for further research on this family in the Southeast Pacific.