Nature never ceases to amaze us at all times. Although the habitat of fish is within the seas and oceans, there are fish such as the flying fish that have characteristics in their body morphology that make them have great skills in gliding out of the water. It is about the impressive flying fish.
How is it possible that a fish, whose habitat is underwater, have the skills to plan outside of it? If you want to discover everything about these flying fish, keep reading
Flying fish characteristics
There are many species de peces flyers and they all belong to the family Exocoetidae (exocetids), of the order BeloniformesThe most common species known as flying fish is called exocoetus volitansIn the family there are about 70 species distributed in 7 to 9 genera, which explains the great variety of shapes and sizes that we find in different regions of the planet.
These fish have large pectoral fins that resemble wings and are the reason why they get their name. These "wings" give them the ability to glide relatively easily out of the waterIts torpedo-shaped body is aerodynamic and light, and together with pelvic fins developed in many species, they complete the profile of authentic marine “flyers”.
They usually measure between 20 and 30 cm, although the size varies according to the species. They have a coloration of iridescent dark blue back y silver belly, a pattern that helps them camouflage themselves: from above they blend in with the depths, and from below with the brightness of the surface.
Another feature that makes these fish unique is their eyes. They have them relatively flat and prominent, which improves their vision when they emerge or come out of the water during their glides. This adaptation helps them both orient yourself in the air as detect predators and surface hazards.
Their behavior is surface pelagic: they spend much of their time in shallow layers of the ocean where they jump and glide, often in large schools. In some species, the pectoral fins are so large that They reach dimensions comparable to the length of the body, as with Cheilopogon exsiliens or with one's own exocoetus volitans.
Shape of your body and flight
The body of these fish is covered by large, soft scales. Thanks to its low relative weight already have a powerful caudal musculature, they can glide for several seconds after an initial impulse. The lower lobe of the caudal fin is usually more developed than the upper one, which improves ground traction during take-off.
On the edge of the body there are lateral folds that contribute to stabilize the flow of water when they gain speed. The color scheme, with a silver band behind the pectoral fins in some specimens, can also serve as a visual signal within the school.
They don't actually "fly", but rather they planThe typical sequence is as follows: first accelerate underwater until reaching speeds close to 50 – 60 km / h, point at the surface at an optimal angle, they deploy their pectoral fins and, still keeping the tail in the water, they beat it very quickly for one last push (more than 100 million have been estimated) 50 flaps per second of the caudal in this phase). Then, the fish comes out completely and glides through the air.
When these fish take flight (again, an extreme glide), it's quite a spectacle. In a single glide, They can travel between 60 and 100 meters on a regular basis, with air speeds of 50 to 60 km/h. Under favorable conditions and taking advantage air currents, glides have been observed that They are well over 200 meters long, managing to string together several consecutive glides by brushing the tail against the water to regain momentum. The longest documented duration of gliding in exocetids is close to tens of seconds, far above a simple jump.
Watching a flying fish glide is fantastic, but seeing a flock execute synchronized maneuvers makes it something else. an exceptional natural spectacleIn warmer seasons they can be seen patrolling near some beaches open to the ocean, where they exploit the breezes and laminar air layers to maximize distance and stability.
The body design is so effective that numerous researchers describe its silhouette as a natural “hang glider”: extended fins that provide lift, streamlined body that reduces drag and tail that acts as a propeller and rudder at the last moment of takeoff.
Habitat
As mentioned before, flying fish settle down in areas of shallow depth relative to the surface, although their environment is fully pelagic and oceanic. They remain in the surface layer of the sea, often in open waters far from the coast, and they make seasonal movements: they tend to move further away in colder times and approach the coast during warm periods, when plankton and wind conditions are favorable.
Its distribution is wide in tropical and subtropical seas of all the oceans, with a presence in the Ocean’s most emblematic landmarks, the Indian’s most emblematic landmarks, the Pacific and also in the Mediterranean Sea, where some species, such as Cheilopogon heterurus, are relatively common. They are surface oceanodromous fish, capable of forming numerous banks that graze on plankton-rich layers.
They are good at taking refuge in areas with floating objects natural (such as sargassum) that add food and provide substrates for reproduction. The most cited flying fish in general literature, exocoetus volitans, is established in a wide strip of warm waters, with populations appearing both in the open sea and in outer coastal areas.
Meals
The feeding of these fish is basically planktivorous. They consume zooplankton (small crustaceans and larvae), as well as microscopic organisms that float in the water column. On many occasions they can also eat small fish and some medium-sized ones when the opportunity arises. This fish is not dangerous for the people.
Their eggs, known as tobiko When used in gastronomy, they have been employees in Japan to prepare sushiIn some areas of the western Mediterranean, such as the Andalusian coast, it is traditionally consumed salted some local species of exocetid, an example of the historical interaction between these populations and the regional fishing culture.
The flying fish is not only concerned with its diet: its survival strategy It combines the efficient capture of planktonic prey at the surface with the use of gliding to avoid its numerous predators.
Reproduction
These fish reproduce by eggs, that is, their reproduction is oviparous. Females deposit bunches of eggs about floating algae or other objects found on the surface (plant remains, natural buoys), or sometimes they release them directly in the water. The eggs stick together through adhesive threads or filaments very fine which makes it easier for them to be anchored to the substrate.
In some species the eggs may be planktonic, floating dispersed until hatching. After birth, the larvae show a very different that of adults; during growth, they acquire the oversized pectoral and pelvic fins that characterize exocetids.
These fish are not generally under specific global protection status, although the utilization of their eggs and bycatch can affect certain populations. Therefore, various management measures local (such as minimum sizes, closed seasons or control of fishing gear) are key to ensuring their conservation.
Taxonomy, groups and representative species
The Exocoetidae is integrated into the order BeloniformesWithin it, various genres are recognized, among which the following stand out:
- Cheilopogon
- Cypselurus
- Exocoetus
- Fodiator
- Hirundichthys
- Parexocoetus
- Prognichthys
Specialists distinguish two main types according to the development of their fins: species of “two wings” (with very developed pectorals) and species of “four wings” (with large pectorals and pelvics), which influences stability of the glide. Among the representative species are exocoetus volitans (widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions), Cheilopogon exsiliens (with huge pecs) and Cheilopogon heterurus (present in the Mediterranean).
As for their size, most species are around 20–30 cm in the adult phase. They have no spines on their fins; their rays are soft and numerous. The pectoral fins are usually gray, while other fins may be more transparent, a feature that improves aerodynamics and reduces visual contrast against predators.
Predators, threats and escape strategies
Flying fish are the target of numerous predators sailors. Among them are the sailfish, tuna, mackerels, swordfish and other large pelagic fish. They are also prey for dolphins, porpoises and even squid in some regions. Paradoxically, when they leave the water they become targets for sea birds capable of catching them in mid-flight.
Their response has been to evolve a defensive repertoire based on the speed and the glideThey accelerate explosively, jump and slide taking advantage of the relative wind to break the line of attack and gain distance. Sometimes they glide several times, brushing their tails to regain momentum: a maneuver that confuses those chasing them.
Regarding human pressures, exocetids can be affected by bycatch in pelagic fisheries and by the roe harvesting. The application of good fishing practices and the protection of breeding areas and surface aggregation help to reduce the impact.
Curiosities, etymology and culture
The name exocetid comes from the Greek exo-koitos ("to lie outside"), in allusion to his habit of jumping out of the water since, according to seafaring chronicles, It was not unusual to find them on decks of ships at night. The constellation Volans refers to these fish, and the genus Hirundichthys means “swallowfish”.
Its two-tone coloration (dark above and silver below) is a classic example of countercoloring, an adaptation that reduces detectability by predators and prey. Another striking detail is the ability of some schools to perform synchronized glides, which suggests communication and collective response to threats.
In addition to the culinary use of their roe in Asia, these fish have inspired biomimicry studies applied to the design of vehicles and wings for its amazing efficiency in generating lift with flexible surfaces in variable environments.
How to observe them and when you are most likely to see them
Flying fish are best observed in open waters, during voyages in open sea with moderate swell and constant breezes. In warm periods, their presence near open ocean coasts may increase. They are easier to spot when there is predator activity beneath the surface: the frenzy prompts them to jump and glide.
If you are sailing in tropical or subtropical areas, keep your eyes on the near horizon from the bow, where they often shoot out as small "silver arrows." Sometimes, after an initial wave, the school repeats the maneuver a few seconds later, increasing the opportunity to observe them in detail.
As you can see, nature never ceases to amaze us and offers us spectacles like this. Flying fish are worth seeing and will offer us one of the most unique scenes of the ocean: fish that seem to defy their environment, combining refined anatomy, explosive speed and precise glides to thrive on the sea's surface.