Flying Fish

Flying Fish

Flying fish can be seen jumping out of warm ocean waters worldwide.
Their streamlined torpedo shape helps them gather enough underwater speed to
break the surface, and their large, wing-like pectoral fins get them
airborne.Flying fish are thought to have evolved this remarkable gliding ability
to escape predators, of which they have many. Their pursuers include mackerel,
tuna, swordfish, marlin, and other larger fish. For their sustenance, flying
fish feed on a variety of foods, including plankton.There are about 40 known
species of flying fish. Beyond their useful pectoral fins, all have unevenly
forked tails, with the lower lobe longer than the upper lobe. Many species have
enlarged pelvic fins as well and are known as four-winged flying fish.The
process of taking flight, or gliding, begins by gaining great velocity
underwater, about 37 miles (60 kilometers) per hour. 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. It then takes to the air,
sometimes reaching heights over 4 feet (1.2 meters) and gliding long distances,
up to 655 feet (200 meters). Once it nears the surface again, it can flap its
tail and taxi without fully returning to the water. 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 (400
meters).Flying fish are attracted to light, like a number of sea creatures, and
fishermen take advantage of this with substantial results. 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. There is currently no protection status on these animals.