Flyingfish
Sailfin flyingfish Parexocoetus brachypterus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Beloniformes Family: Exocoetidae
Genera
Cheilopogon Cypselurus Danichthys Exocoetus Fodiator Hirundichthys Oxyporhamphus Parexocoetus Prognichthys Flying fish are a marine fish family comprised of about 70 species. ... Sailfin flyingfish (Parexocoetus brachypterus). ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Orders See text The Actinopterygii are the ray-finned fish. ... Families Suborder Adrianichthyoidei Adrianichthyidae - Ricefishes Suborder Belonoidei Superfamily Scomberesocoidea Belonidae - Needlefishes Scomberesocidae - Scauries Superfamily Exocoetoidea Exocoetidae - Flyingfishes Hemiramphidae - Halfbeaks Beloniformes is an order of ray-finned fish most notable for the flyingfishes and medakas. ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Species See text. ... Species See text. ... Genera Cheilopogon Cypselurus Danichthys Exocoetus Fodiator Hirundichthys Oxyporhamphus Parexocoetus Prognichthys The Exocoetidae or flying fishes are a marine fish family comprising about 50 species grouped in 7 to 9 genera. ... Hirundichthys is a genus of flying fish. ...

Flying fish are a marine fish family comprising about 50 species grouped in 7 to 9 genera. Flying fish are found in all the major oceans, mainly in warm tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Their most striking feature is their pectoral fins, which are unusually large, and enable the fish to take short gliding flights through air, above the surface of the water, in order to escape predators. For other uses, see Fish (disambiguation). ... The hierarchy of scientific classification In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is a rank, or a taxon in that rank. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... A noontime scene from the Philippines on a day when the Sun is almost directly overhead. ... Subtropical (or semitropical) areas are those adjacent to the tropics, usually roughly defined as the ranges 23. ... “Atlantic” redirects here. ... “Pacific” redirects here. ... Fish anatomy is primarily governed by the physical characteristics of water, which is much denser than air, holds a relatively small amount of dissolved oxygen, and absorbs light more than air does. ...

Appearance

Band-wing flyingfish Cheilopogon exsiliens, with large pectoral and pelvic fins

Some flying fish shed their pectoral fins every 20 to 40 days. In some species the pelvic fins are also unusually large, so the fish appears to have four wings. Most species reach a maximum length of 30 cm, though a few may be as long as 45 cm. Their eyes are relatively larger than those of other fish as well as flatter which improves visual acuity in the air. Flying fish live close to the water surface and feed on plankton. Image File history File links The Band-wing flyingfish, Cheilopogon exsiliens. ... Image File history File links The Band-wing flyingfish, Cheilopogon exsiliens. ... Fish anatomy is primarily governed by the physical characteristics of water, which is much denser than air, holds a relatively small amount of dissolved oxygen, and absorbs light more than air does. ... Photomontage of plankton organisms Plankton are any drifting organism that inhabits the water column of oceans, seas, and bodies of fresh water. ...

Flight

Atlantic flyingfish Cheilopogon melanurus

To prepare for a glide, the fish swim rapidly close to the surface of the water, with their fins close to the body. As they leave the water, they spread their fins. The caudal fin is usually deeply forked, with the lower lobe longer than the upper. The fish rapidly move the lower lobe to propel themselves forward once the rest of the body has already left the water. Eventually, even the tail leaves the water and the fish are airborne. They do not flap their "wings". In gliding, flying fish can almost double their speed, reaching speeds up to 60 km/h. The glides are usually up to 30-50 metres in length, but some have been observed soaring for hundreds of metres using the updraft on the leading edges of waves. The fish can also make a series of glides, each time dipping the tail into the water to produce forward thrust. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Fish anatomy is primarily governed by the physical characteristics of water, which is much denser than air, holds a relatively small amount of dissolved oxygen, and absorbs light more than air does. ... Kilometre per hour (American spelling: kilometer per hour) is a unit of both speed (scalar) and velocity (vector). ...

Flying fish use their unusual flying talent to escape predators such as swordfish, tuna, and other larger fish. This article is about a type of fish. ... For other uses, see Tuna (disambiguation). ...

Importance

Atlantic flyingfish, Cheilopogon melanurus, beating caudal fin during takeoff.

Flying fish, often preserved by drying, are a staple of the Tao people of Orchid Island. In Japanese cuisine, flying fish roe (Tobiko), often from Cheilopogon agoo (Japanese flying fish), is used to make some types of sushi. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Old photo of the Tao people on the shore of Orchid Island, ca. ... Old photo of the people of Orchid Island, near Taiwan published in a Japanese colonial government publication, ca. ... There are many views as to what defines Japanese cuisine, as the everyday food of the Japanese people has diversified immensely over the past century or so. ... This article is about fish eggs. ... Tobiko in varying colors. ... This article is about Japanese cuisine. ...

Historically the country of Barbados was nicknamed as "The land of the Flying fish." The once abundant flying fish migrated between the warm coral-filled Atlantic Ocean surrounding the island of Barbados and the plankton-rich outflows of the Orinoco River in Venezuela. In Barbados, the flying fish is depicted on coins, as sculptures in fountains, in artwork, or even as part of the official logo of the Barbados Tourism Authority which features a Flying fish in flight. Additionally, the Barbadian coat of Arms features a Pelican and Dolphin on either side of the shield, but the dolphin resembles a flying fish. Some of the biodiversity of a coral reef, in this case the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. ... This page is about the Orinoco River, for the Aphra Behn novel see Oroonoko With a length of 2140 km, the Orinoco is one of the largest rivers of South America. ... The Coat of Arms of Barbados was adopted upon independence in 1966 by decree of Queen Elizabeth. ... For other uses, see Pelican (disambiguation). ... Genera See article below. ...

Just after the completion of the Deep Water Habour in Bridgetown, Barbados saw an increase of international ships, linking the island to the world. As a result the overall health of the coral reefs surrounding Barbados suffered due to ship-based pollution. Additionally, over-fishing by Barbadians has meant the species of flying fish have slowly retreated closer to the Orinoco River delta and are no longer returning around Barbados in large numbers. Today the flying fish only annually migrate as far north as the island of Tobago, around 120 nautical miles southwest of Barbados. Despite the move, Flying fish have remained a coveted delicacy in Barbados. In recent times the flying fish have also been gaining in culinary popularity in other islands, adding fuel to several Caribbean-maritime disputes. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... It has been suggested that Pollutant be merged into this article or section. ... Many types of fish undertake migrations on a regular basis, on time scales ranging from daily to annual, and with distances ranging from a few meters to thousands of kilometers. ... Compass rose with north highlighted and at top Look up North in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Castara village beach looking south, Tobago Tobago is the smaller of the two main islands that make up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ... A nautical mile or sea mile is a unit of length. ... “West Indian” redirects here. ... From the latin maritimus, maritime refers to things relating to the sea. ...

In 2006 the council of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea handed down a ruling^[1] fixing the maritime boundaries between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago over the flying fish dispute which gradually raised inter-island tensions between the neighbours[1]. The ruling stated that both countries must now preserve flying fish stock for the future. Barbadian fishers have still tried to follow the flying fish southward in search of the Barbadian delicacy. Flying fish remain an important part of Barbados' main national dish[2] which is known as Cou Cou and Flying Fish.^[2][3] United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Opened for signature December 10, 1982 in Montego Bay (Jamaica) Entered into force November 16, 1994[1] Conditions for entry into force 60 ratifications Parties 149[2] For maritime law in general see Admiralty law. ...

Etymology

The term Exocoetidae comes from the Greek εξω-κοιτος (exo-koitos, "lying down outside" or "sleeping under the stars") and refers to the common occurrence of stranded flying fish lying in boats. The Exocet guided missile is presumably named after these fish. There are also three ships of the United States Navy named USS Flying Fish. The constellation Volans ("flying fish") also refers to this animal. The Exocet is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, and airplanes. ... USN redirects here. ... Three ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Flying Fish, named in honor of the flying fish, any of number of fishes of tropic and warm temperate seas whose long winglike fins make it possible for them to move some distance through the air. ... Photo of the familiar constellation Orion. ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations | Volans constellation ...

In art

Main article: Gallery of beloniform fishes

The Beloniformes is an order of freshwater and marine ray-finned fish comprising five families, the Adrianichthyidae, Belonidae, Exocoetidae, Hemiramphidae, and the Scomberesocidae. ...

See also

• Beloniformes
• Flying and gliding animals

Families Suborder Adrianichthyoidei Adrianichthyidae - Ricefishes Suborder Belonoidei Superfamily Scomberesocoidea Belonidae - Needlefishes Scomberesocidae - Scauries Superfamily Exocoetoidea Exocoetidae - Flyingfishes Hemiramphidae - Halfbeaks Beloniformes is an order of ray-finned fish most notable for the flyingfishes and medakas. ... A number of animals have evolved aerial locomotion, either by powered flight or by gliding. ...

References

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Exocoetidae

• Fishbase entry for flyingfish
• Oceanlink Flying fish
• Explanation
• Description
• Report by Christopher Parker
• Pictures