But the Exocet missile is named after them, and that certainly can. This makes it even more important to protect their habitats. Anything that’s eaten this much and by this many animals is important for holding the system together. It’s definitely not an easy life.įlying fish are, however, an integral part of the ecosystem.

Frigate birds are often waiting in ambush from above, ready to pick off any flying fish that jump too high. Jumping out of the water is a great strategy to evade larger fish, but unfortunately for the flying fish, they have predators in every dimension. This does occasionally lead to them landing on people’s boats, but in general, it’s probably very effective at getting away from larger fish. Tuna and swordfish are extremely agile and fast hunters, and one way to escape them might be to leave their environment entirely and re-enter it at some random spot. It’s thought that leaping out of the water is a great strategy for escaping predators. Their average distance is about the same as the first flight, at around 50m or 180ft, but they’re capable of travelling much further than that. That’s almost four times as long as the Wright brothers’ first flight. 1įlying fish have been recorded ‘flying’ for up to 45 seconds. Still, this is an incredible ability.įlying fish jump out of the water and can glide for extraordinary distances on their wing-shaped pectoral fins, which are shaped to generate lift, just like a plane wing. Well, the fish part does exist, but the flying is a bit of a leap. This is a downer, isn’t it? The first fact about the majestic flying fish dispels any illusions of it actually existing. In general flying fish populations are in good shape with over 50% of the species classified by the IUCN as least concern. These are fast and agile fish who rely on certain stiffening adaptations in their spines to reduce drag and loss of momentum when escaping predators. They live in all oceans, but particularly in tropical waters up to a depth of around 200m. Least Concern (~50%) to Critically Endangered (IUCN)Įxocoetidae contains about seven genera (to date) and many (between 40 and 70) species, all of which are defined by their elongated fins. Tuna, swordfish, mackerel, marlin, dorado, pinnipeds, cetaceans, frigate birds As it happens, they need to be they’re hunted by almost everything larger than they are.Ĭountershaded: dark on top, light underneath These are the exocoetidae, or Flying fish, and they are quite extraordinary in their abilities. There is currently no protection status on these animals.There’s a family of fish who have a unique strategy for avoiding predation. Canoes, filled with enough water to sustain fish, but not enough to allow them to propel themselves out, are affixed with a luring light at night to capture flying fish by the dozens. Fishingįlying fish are attracted to light, like a number of sea creatures, and fishermen take advantage of this with substantial results. Capable of continuing its flight in such a manner, flying fish have been recorded stretching out their flights with consecutive glides spanning distances up to 1,312 feet. Once it nears the surface again, it can flap its tail and taxi without fully returning to the water. It then takes to the air, sometimes reaching heights over 4 feet and gliding long distances, up to 655 feet. Angling upward, the four-winged flying fish breaks the surface and begins to taxi by rapidly beating its tail while it is still beneath the surface. The process of taking flight, or gliding, begins by gaining great velocity underwater, about 37 miles per hour. Many species have enlarged pelvic fins as well and are known as four-winged flying fish. Beyond their useful pectoral fins, all have unevenly forked tails, with the lower lobe longer than the upper lobe. There are at least 40 known species of flying fish. For their sustenance, flying fish feed on a variety of foods, including plankton. Their pursuers include mackerel, tuna, swordfish, marlin, and other larger fish. Their streamlined torpedo shape helps them gather enough underwater speed to break the surface, and their large, wing-like pectoral fins get them airborne.įlying fish are thought to have evolved this remarkable gliding ability to escape predators, of which they have many. Flying fish can be seen jumping out of warm ocean waters worldwide.