49) Flying Fish

Flying Fish

Flying Fish are able to leave the water by lashing motions of the tail and propel themselves through the air in limited glides.  Most flying fishes are found in tropical and semitropical waters, although some species range farther north.  Pursuit by other fishes is believed to be the cause of their leaving the water; once in the air, however, they become the prey of various fish-eating birds.  Their flight may consist of several glides, in which they repeatedly return to the surface of the water long enough to renew their propelling power.  They rise to a maximum of about 36 ft into the air and glide as far as 600 feet.  This gliding activity is often exhibited simultaneously by an entire school of flying fish.  Although the tail provides the sole means of thrust, the greatly elongated pectoral fins serve to provide lift in flight.

The true flying fishes belong to the flying fish family, and include about 50 species classified in eight genera.  Many are used as food fishes. T hey have large, stiff pectoral fins almost as long as the body; some species also have elongated pelvic fins, giving the appearance of four wings.  The upper lobe of the caudal fin (tail) is smaller than the lower.  The head and body scales are large and soft, and a ridge runs longitudinally along both sides of the body.  The most common flying fish is found in the Atlantic Ocean; it is dark brown, with a white marking on the back, behind the pectoral fins.  One common “four-winged” species has the same geographical range.  The great flying fish is found along the coast of California; it attains a length of 18 inches, more than twice as long as most species.  The sharpshin flying fish is found in the waters off Central America.  Flying fishes are the natural prey of the bluefish and albacore.