Flying Fish

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Flying fish images (Exocoetidae) - stock photos & facts showing these beautifully patterned fish that fly to escape predators

Scientific classification | Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Actinopterygii > Order: Beloniformes > Suborder: Belonoidei > Superfamily: Exocoetoidea > Family: Exocoetidae > Genera: Cheilopogon, Cypselurus, Exocoetus, Fodiator, Hirundichthys, Parexocoetus, Prognichthys

Flying fish, Exocoetidae, are a family of highly decorative fish of more than 40 species, that live in all major oceans, with a preference for warm oceans. Flying fish are the national fish of Barbados, where they were abundant until over-fishing depleted their numbers. They are distinguished by their large pectoral fins which enable them to jump out of the water and glide for some distance above the surface to escape their predators. The glide is usually around 150 feet, but, if conditions are right, can be as long as a thousand feet.

Flying fish take to the air by starting with swimming at high speed underwater, helped by their streamlined torpedo shape. They then take to the air, sometimes as high as four feet above the surface, with their large pectoral fins to bear them up. Some species have enlarged pelvic fins, and these are known as four winged flying fish. They beat their tail on the surface to help them get airborne, making a distinctive zig zag pattern on the water.

Flying fish eat a variety of small foods including plankton. Their natural predators are large fish such as marlin and tuna. In addition, some birds, in particular boobies, have learned to hunt flying fish by hovering over the bow of a ship, and waiting until the flying fish take to the air to avoid the ship. They then swoop down and catch them in the air.

In addition, they are fished by man. Flying fish are attracted to light, so fishing boats carry a light at night to lure fish to drop into the boat. They are not a protected species. Despite that, often ichthyologists are not able to accurately describe a species as they normally only see them after they have been preserved and lost their amazing coloration.
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