Cheilopogon papilio, the butterfly flyingfish, is a species of ray-finned fish within the family Exocoetidae,[1] distributed in the eastern Pacific off the coasts of Mexico in Baja California and the Revillagigedos Islands, as well as some areas off Costa Rica and Panama.

Other common names of the species include the exocet papillon in French and volador mariposa in Spanish.

[3][4] It has an elongated and cylindrical body covered in large smooth scales, with a blue-green back and silvery underbelly.

[4] Cheilopogon papilio lives in epipelagic coastal waters up to depths of 5 to 20 m (16 to 66 ft) below the ocean surface, feeding on planktonic organisms and small fish.

[2][3] Just like other members within its family, C. papilio uses its large pectoral fins to glide considerable distances when leaping out of the water to escape potential predators such as tuna, dolphins, mahi-mahi, marlin, squid, and porpoises.