Flying Fish

If you are enjoying a boat ride in the tropical ocean and see a flying fish emerging through the azure waters, then don’t think you’ve soaked in too much sun! Flying fish are found in warm tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and the Atlantic oceans. There are over 50 species of flying fish that belong to the Exocoetidae family. Some of the largest flying fish can reach a length of 45 cms. On an average, their length measures upto 30 cm.

Facts about Flying Fish:

• The flying fish can be easily identified due to their pectoral fins and lopsided tails. The streamlined torpedo shape of the body helps them to gather underwater speed. This in turn gives them the required speed to break through the surface of the water. These are known to glide through the air over considerable distances. The flying fish swim very close to the surface of the water and their fins remain close to the body. Once they leave the water, they spread their fins to be able to glide. The flying fish are known to use their unusual ability to escape predators such as the swordfish, tunas and other kinds of species of fish.
• Along with their pectoral fins, the flying fish have unevenly forked tails (caudal fins). Here, the lower lobe is longer than the upper lobe. Most of them have enlarged pelvic fins as well, which are used for gliding. When the flying fish leave the water, they use the lower lobe of the tail to propel themselves forward. The flying fish can even flap their wings once they are in the air. It is this enlarged lower lobe that acts like an outboard motor. Using a sideway motion of the tail, the flying fish tends to gain height when it emerges from the water.
• When the flying fish glides through the air, it can go at a speed of about 60 kilometers per hour. It can reach a height of over 4 feet and even glide long distances. The moment these flying fish reach back to the surface, it can flap its tail without actually returning to the water. The tail is dipped in the water every time to produce the thrust.
• Studies with the help of advanced equipments have shown that the flying fish keep their enlarged pectoral fins very steady when they glide through the air. Their manner of gliding is also similar to the flying squirrels and very apart from the birds. This is because birds vibrate their wings when they are in the air.
• There are at least 50 known species of flying fish. Apart from their useful pectoral fins, some of them have enlarged pelvic fins and are therefore known as the four winged flying fish.
• The young fish look very different from the adults. These have a multicolored pattern with a large pair of flap like whiskers. These whiskers extend downward from the end of the lower jaw. The whiskers are at times longer than the fish itself. As the fish grows, these whiskers are known to disappear.
• The eyes of the flying fish are relatively larger than the other species. These are also flat in shape and this is what helps to improve the visual perception when it glides through the air.
• The diet of the flying fish consists of planktons and small crustaceans. These flying fish are attracted to light and this is what makes them an easy victim for most fishermen.