The family Exocoetidae, also known as “flying fish,” contains over 64 different species of fish. Overwhelming populations of this saltwater fish can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In a nutshell, flying fish are not considered to have the capacity for powered flight. The advanced capacity to glide out of the water and navigate their way across great distances while just being carried by wind and ocean currents is what they possess instead.
These fish spend their entire lives in the upper 200 meters (656 feet) of the water because they reside in the epipelagic zone, also known as the sunlight zone.
After all, sedaDNA analysis is one type of environmental DNA analysis. They have ossified caudal fins coupled to robust spinal columns, which gives them the sturdy and streamlined appearance required to project themselves directly out of the water. Increased neural arch width reinforces the connection between the fish’s skull and spinal column. They fly more steadily, faster, and with better aim while changing directions in midair thanks to this enhanced rigidity.
The “wings” are actually two sizable extendible fins. These are flattened against the fish’s body when swimming to increase its hydrodynamic efficiency. Some species, known as “four-winged flying fish,” also have pelvic fins that resemble wings to help them glide more easily in the air.
These amazing sportsmen can burst out of the water at speeds of up to 59 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour). While they can glide for around 50 meters (160 feet) on average, they can move up to 400 meters because of their deft use of water currents and updrafts (1,300 feet). Off the coast of Japan in 2008, a film crew captured the scaley gliders’ longest flight, which lasted an amazing 45 seconds and involved a fish traveling at a speed of roughly 30 kilometers (19 miles) per hour.
It’s believed that flying fish evolved this special ability to protect themselves from the huge fish and cetaceans that also live in their habitat. Unfortunately for them, life isn’t any nicer for them outside of the water because they become food for a variety of sea birds.
Because they frequently end up being released onto passing boats, their average altitude of 1.2 meters (4 feet), which can occasionally soar to an astonishing 6 meters (20 feet), also gets them into difficulty with people. Because of their peculiar propensity, they were given the family name “Exocoetidae,” which is the Latin equivalent of the Greek word for “sleeping outside.”
