Flying Fish

flying fish of the family Exocoetidae, do not really fly, but glide, using their very large pectoral fins like wings. By launching themselves upwards from the surface of the sea at maximum swimming speed, they have been known to attain a glide path more than 5 m (16') above the water and to remain airborne over a distance as great as 100 m (110 yards). Usually, however, they cover much shorter distances, skimming the waves.

A puzzling feature of this gliding is that the fish have been seen to accelerate in the course of it. The explanation is that they allow themselves to lose height until their tail fins are just in the water, then vibrate these as rapidly as they can, which causes them to gather speed. Maximum speed, as measured by an expert in SE Asian waters, is in the region of 65 k.p.h. (40 m.p.h.); see Davidson (1977).