TheExocoetidae are afamily ofmarineray-finned fish in theorderBeloniformes, known colloquially asflying fish orflying cod. About 64species are grouped in sevengenera. While they do not "fly" in the same way a bird does, flying fish can make powerful, self-propelled leaps out of the water where their long wing-like fins enablegliding for considerable distances above the water's surface. The main reason for this behavior is thought to be to escape from underwater predators,[3][4][5] which includeswordfish,mackerel,tuna, andmarlin, among others,[6] though their periods of flight expose them to attack by avian predators such asfrigate birds.
Barbados is known as "the land of the flying fish" and the fish is one of the national symbols of the country. TheExocet missile is named after them, as variants are launched from underwater, and take a low trajectory, skimming the surface, before striking their targets.
The termExocoetidae is both the scientific name and the general name inLatin for a flying fish. The suffix-idae, common for indicating a family, follows the root of the Latin wordexocoetus, a transliteration of theAncient Greek nameἐξώκοιτος. This means literally 'sleeping outside', fromἔξω, 'outside', andκοῖτος, 'bed', 'resting place', with the verb rootκει-, 'to lie down' (not 'untruth'),[7] so named as flying fish were believed to leave the water to sleep ashore,[8] or due to flying fish flying and thus stranding themselves in boats.
Flying fish live in all of theoceans, particularly intropical and warmsubtropical waters. They are commonly found in theepipelagic zone, the top layer of the ocean to a depth of about 200 m (660 ft).
Numerous morphological features give flying fish the ability to leap above the surface of the ocean. One such feature is fully broadenedneural arches, which act as insertion sites forconnective tissues and ligaments in a fish's skeleton. Fully broadened neural arches act as more stable and sturdier sites for these connections, creating a strong link between thevertebral column andcranium.[14] A steady glide will improve their flight duration and allow them to be above water. An unsteady glide will not impact their flight as much but will shorten their flight duration not much more than a steady flight. This also will vary based on their energy consumption.[15] This ultimately allows a rigid and sturdy vertebral column (body) that is beneficial in flight. Having a rigid body during glided flight gives the flying fishaerodynamic advantages, increasing its speed and improving its aim.[14] Furthermore, flying fish have developedvertebral columns andossifiedcaudal complexes.[16] These features provide the majority of strength to the flying fish, allowing them to physically lift their bodies out of water and glide remarkable distances. These additions also reduce the flexibility of the flying fish, allowing them to perform powerful leaps without weakening midair.[16] At the end of a glide, they fold theirpectoral fins to re-enter the sea, or drop their tails into the water to push against the water to lift for another glide, possibly changing direction.[17][18] The curved profile of the "wing" is comparable to the aerodynamic shape of a bird wing.[19] The fish is able to increase its time in the air by flying straight into or at an angle to the direction ofupdrafts created by a combination ofair andocean currents.[17][18]
Species of genusExocoetus have one pair of fins and streamlined bodies to optimize for speed, whileCypselurus spp. have flattened bodies and two pairs of fins, which maximize their time in the air. From 1900 to the 1930s, flying fish were studied as possible models used to develop airplanes.[18]
In May 2008, a Japanese television crew (NHK) filmed a flying fish (dubbed "Icarfish") off the coast ofYakushima Island, Japan. The fish spent 45 seconds in flight.[20] The previous record was 42 seconds.[20]
The flights of flying fish are typically around 50 m (160 ft),[21] though they can use updrafts at the leading edge of waves to cover distances up to 400 m (1,300 ft).[21][22] They can travel at speeds of more than 70 km/h (43 mph).[18] Maximum altitude is 6 m (20 ft) above the surface of the sea.[19] Flying fish often accidentally land on the decks of smaller vessels.[18][23][24]
Flying fish roe is known as "cau-cau" in southern Peru, and is used to make several local dishes.[citation needed]
In theSolomon Islands, the fish are caught while they are flying, using nets held fromoutrigger canoes. They are attracted to the light of torches. Fishing is done only when no moonlight is available.[citation needed]
Barbados is known as "the land of the flying fish", and the fish is one of the national symbols of the country. Once abundant, itmigrated between the warm,coral-filledAtlantic Ocean surrounding the island of Barbados and the plankton-rich outflows of theOrinoco River inVenezuela.[citation needed]
Just after the completion of theBridgetown Harbor / Deep Water Harbor in Bridgetown, Barbados had an increase of ship visits, linking the island to the world. The overall health of thecoral reefs surrounding Barbados suffered due to ship-basedpollution. Additionally, Barbadianoverfishing pushed them closer to the Orinocodelta, no longer returning to Barbados in large numbers. Today, the flying fish onlymigrate as far north asTobago, around 120 nmi (220 km; 140 mi) southwest of Barbados. Despite the change, flying fish remain a coveted delicacy.[citation needed]
Many aspects of Barbadian culture center around the flying fish; it is depicted on coins, as sculptures in fountains, in artwork, and as part of the official logo of the Barbados Tourism Authority. Additionally, theBarbadian coat of arms features apelican anddolphinfish on either side of the shield, but the dolphinfish resembles a flying fish. Furthermore, actual artistic renditions andholograms of the flying fish are also present within theBarbadian passport.[citation needed]
Flying fish have also been gaining in popularity in other islands, fueling several maritime disputes. In 2006, the council of theUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea[25] fixed themaritime boundaries betweenBarbados andTrinidad and Tobago over the flying fish dispute, which gradually raised tensions between the neighbours.[26] The ruling stated both countries must preserve stocks for the future. Barbadian fishers still follow the flying fish southward.
Makassar fishermen in southSulawesi have been catching flying fish (torani) in special boats calledpatorani for centuries developing their own sailing traditions along the way. These fishermen were able to sail as far asKimberley region in west of Australiareaching the indigenous people there.[27] TheIndosiar channel was also prominently featured a flying fish in its logo during commercial breaks and on its ident only from 2000 to 2012.
The oldest known fossil of a flying or gliding fish are those of the extinct familyThoracopteridae, dating back to theMiddle Triassic, 235–242 million years ago.[28] However, they are thought to be basalneopterygians and are not related to modern flying fish, with the wing-like pectoral fins beingconvergently evolved in both lineages.[29] Similarly, theCheirothricidae of theLate Cretaceous also similarly evolved wing-like pectoral fins that were likely also used for gliding, but are indeterminateeurypterygians; they are possiblyAulopiformes, which would make them most closely related tolizardfish.[30]
^abDasilao, Juanito C.; Yamaoka, Kosaku (September 1998). "Development of the vertebral column and caudal complex in a flyingfish,Parexocoetus mento mento (Teleostei: Exocoetidae)".Ichthyological Research.45 (3):303–308.Bibcode:1998IchtR..45..303D.doi:10.1007/BF02673928.S2CID33251544.
^Kawachi, K., Inada, Y., & Azuma, A. (1993).Optimal Flight Path of Flying Fish
^abFish, F. E. (July 1990). "Wing design and scaling of flying fish with regard to flight performance".Journal of Zoology.221 (3):391–403.doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1990.tb04009.x.
.png)
