Flying Fish

Scientific name (All species) - Exocoetidae 

Conservation status

Flying Fish populations are stable. They are fished commercially in Japan, China, Vietnam, India and Indonesia but are not on any protection lists. One method of fishing is to use small well-lit boats. Flying Fish are attracted by light and will leap into the boats.

Overview

 Flying Fish live in all oceans but particularly tropical and warm sub-tropical seas.

Whilst they don’t actually fly in the same way as birds they have the ability to make huge leaps out of the water and then glide over a long distance using their wing like fins. The reason for doing this is thought to be to escape predators which include mackerel, swordfish and tuna.

In the air they use updrafts to increase the length of their flight. A typical flight would be 50 metres long but by using air currents this can be extended to as much as 400 metres. They fly around 43mph and can reach a maximum altitude of 6 metres above the sea.

When they end their glide they fold their pectoral wings to re-enter the sea.

 Flying Fish measure 17 to 30 centimetres  on average but can be up to 45 centimetres long. They live for an average of 5 years.

They originate from the Eucene period (34 to 56 million years ago)

 Flying Fish eat a variety of foods, with plankton making up a large part of their diet. They sometimes eat small crustaceans as well.

In Japan the fish is preserved by drying and used as fish stock or dashi broth. The roe of the Japanese flying fish is sometimes used in sushi. It is a key part of the diet in Orchid Island and is the national dish of Barbados –  the “Land of the Flying Fish”

 Flying Fish have been studied in the early 20th century as possible models to develop airplanes. Exocet missiles were named after Flying Fish as they are often launch from underwater and their trajectory skims just above the sea.

 Source

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_fish

National Wildlife Federation https://www.nwf.org/

National Geographic (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/flying-fish