Flying fish description. Flying fish: interesting facts about the flight of winged fish

Despite numerous Scientific research, it must be admitted that even in the 21st century our planet is not fully studied. This especially applies to the World Ocean, in which inhabitants unknown to science are still found. In addition, in its depths live many amazing creatures. One of them is a flying fish. Of course, it has been known for a long time, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting.

The flying fish is one of the most unusual and interesting species.

General description of the species

Flying or two-winged fish belong to the family sea ​​fish, a order of garfish, consisting of 52 species, 8 genera. Scientifically, flying fish are called Exocoetidae. home distinguishing feature these fish - enlarged pectoral fins, which help individuals jump out of the water and perform gliding flight. The body length ranges from 20 to 50 centimeters, the color is bluish, the back is darker. Pectoral fins, depending on the species, can be green, brown, blue, colorless, striped or spotted.

Fish that can fly live in the hot subtropics or tropics; they prefer water with a temperature of at least 20 degrees Celsius. Some species are found only in coastal areas, others in the open ocean. They swim in small schools at shallow depths. They feed on mollusks, plankton, small crustaceans, and larvae.

At night, flying fish are attracted to various light sources, so it is not uncommon for them to fly up to the ship’s lights and hit the side of the ship hard or even fly onto the deck.

How the flight is carried out

The ability to fly has developed in fish as a tool for escape from predators, and this ability is expressed differently in different genera. In species with short pectoral fins, flight is not as perfect as in their “long-winged” counterparts. In addition, development occurred in two directions, resulting in There is a difference between fish based on their fins:

• Diptera. They only use pectoral fins.
• Four-winged. These also use ventral fins, as they are well developed.

Species that use only pectoral fins for soaring fly worse than species that use not only pectoral fins, but also ventral fins for flight.

Evolution was reflected in the rest of the body structure. For example, the upper lobe of the caudal fin is much smaller in size than the lower one, and the air bladder is extremely developed and continues under the spine to the tail.

The flight process is as follows: first the fish develops significant speed in the water, then jumps up to the surface at an angle of about forty degrees and glides through the air for some time, spreading its pectoral fins and accelerating due to the oscillatory movements of the lower part of the caudal fin lowered into the water. While in water, the individual develops a speed of approximately 30 kilometers per hour, while flying - up to 70 kilometers per hour. It flies for about 10 seconds, after which it gradually descends towards the water.

The flight height of flying fish reaches 5 meters, and the range is 50 meters. Sometimes, caught in an upward flow of air, fish can fly more than 300 meters.

The process of reproduction of individuals

Spawning time comes in the spring. Fish reproduce by laying eggs on algae, floating bird feathers or other debris. Species that live in the open ocean spawn directly into the water. Usually, during the spawning period, a school of fish gathers in one place and circles above it, releasing eggs. The water turns greenish. The diameter of the eggs is about 6−7 mm, the color is orange-reddish.

Flying fish roe is known by the Japanese name "tobiko" and is widely used in sushi and other dishes. Japanese cuisine.

The newly hatched fry float to the surface of the water and feed on plankton. Juveniles are different from adults bright color and short fins.

Despite the fact that the flyer in large quantities They are caught by people and also hunted by sea predators and birds; currently the population is not in danger. After all, one female individual is capable of laying about 25 thousand eggs during one spawning period.

Commercial value of flying fish

Winged fish have tasty meat, so they are the subject of industrial and artisanal fisheries.

Flying fish are of greatest commercial importance in Japan, where they account for 50% of the total catch.

The following fishing methods are used:

• On the Polynesian islands they are caught using hooks and nets. At night, they use nets, attracting fish into them with the light of lanterns.
• In the Philippines, a purse seine and a net trap are used, and during fishing, several beaters on boats frighten the school, directing it towards the traps.
• In India, commercial harvesting is carried out during spawning season. Fishermen make artificial spawning grounds from branches, which are towed behind the watercraft and around which schools of fish gather.

Industrial fishing is carried out in Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. But the largest fishery is in Japan, where winged fish make up half of the total catch. In addition to meat, caviar, known as tobiko, is also very popular in many countries. Both caviar and meat are healthy dietary products and have excellent taste.

This is basic information about what winged fish are. Nature and evolution have created truly amazing creatures that live in water, but at the same time can fly. Their existence proves that the fauna of the Earth is very interesting and diverse.

Many animals would gladly trade their own tail for wings. Why are there animals? From time immemorial, we people have strived for the sky, thanks to which we have hang gliders, airplanes and other aircraft. But the wings, alas, never grew. But who would have thought that advanced humanity would be deftly surpassed by fish? Flying silver inhabitant depths of the sea has always made an indelible impression on homo sapiens. It was she who became the prototype of the toy flying fish, which in a matter of months turned into an incredibly popular pastime for children and adults. Flying fish (air swimmers) - what are they really like?

Fins-wings

Here she is - the winged muse from under the water, who inspired the inventors to create aircraft. above the waves like a bird, in Latin it is called Exocoetidae (and in Russian - dipterous, or flying fish) and belongs to the order Sarganiformes, which has as many as 52 species.

In particular, the vehicle of this representative underwater depths, is amazing. This one, from head to tip of tail, is 15-25 centimeters long, the most large individuals sometimes reach half a meter. Its elongated body has wide, well-developed, fairly strong and rigid pectoral fins, which are very similar to sweeping wings. In some individuals, each primary fin is forked - such fish are called four-winged.

A fish flying over the sea has a giant air bubble that can hold up to 44 cubic centimeters of air! Along with wings, it helps the sea dweller to fly and soar.

A curiosity from the subtropics

Fish that soar above the surface of the water like birds live exclusively in the tropics and subtropics. This species cannot tolerate habitat temperatures below +20 o C. Their place of residence is Quiet and as well as Red and Mediterranean Sea. The largest concentration of flying beauties is observed in the Caribbean Sea, near Barbados.

Flying fish (photos of which can often be found in glossy travel publications) bring indescribable delight to both travelers and indigenous residents, who freeze in admiration every time at the sight of soaring representatives of this fish family.

Diet features

Winged fish flying over the sea all alone is a rare phenomenon: this species always lives in schools, sometimes grouping into large schools. They often surround passing ships in a tight ring. These peaceful flyers are absolutely not aggressive - rather, they themselves are food for predators. The diet of flying fish consists of plankton, small crustaceans, benthic microorganisms and mollusks.

For whom is flying fish a delicacy? Sharks, large squids, birds and humans - everyone loves the tender, tasty meat of this winged wonder. And caviar, called "tobiko", is widely used in the preparation of Chinese dishes and Flying fish is a valuable commercial product, but so far their number in the World Ocean is not threatened due to their excellent fertility. Each individual is capable of laying up to 24 thousand eggs.

Water like a runway

Flying fish hover over the water not for pleasure, but to escape from impending danger in the form of predators. How does this happen? Underwater, the fins-wings are pressed tightly to the body. Before takeoff, it accelerates its movements with its tail several times (up to 70 times per second!), accelerating to a speed of 55-60 kilometers per hour. Then the fish flies up to a height of 1.5-5 meters, spreading its pectoral fins. The flight range is small and can vary from 1.5 to 5 meters! It is interesting that in the air, sea flyers do not know how to control their flight, and therefore often crash into ships or are showered with fish on the deck.

The flight duration can reach 45 seconds, but this is rare. Average flight flying fish lasts 10 seconds.

The fish takes off not only to avoid sea ​​predators, but also to the light. Fishermen take advantage of this weakness: just shine a lantern over the boat at night, and the lover of light will jump into the trap herself. The flyer will no longer be able to return to the sea, since there is no water to disperse it with her tail.

Continuation of the family line

Despite the fact that there are plenty of hunters for the winged fish, nothing threatens the population. As we have already mentioned, each female is capable of laying up to 24 thousand eggs in one spawning. They are brightly colored and the diameter of each varies between 0.5-0.8 mm. Where do flying fish lay their eggs? Photos taken by many people show that this fish is not particularly picky when choosing a “house” for future offspring. The eggs attach to everything that literally falls under the fin - to debris, algae, bird feathers, branches and even coconuts brought into the sea from land.

Flying fish fry eat plankton that collects near the surface of the sea. Appearance the babies differ from the adult winged individuals - their colors are bright and variegated.

Description

Flying fish (from Latin Exocoetidae) is a family of fish that includes about 70 species, distinctive feature which are huge pectoral fins, with the help of which they jump out of the water and can make a short soaring flight. Distributed in all oceans, the largest concentration is in the subtropics and tropics with a water temperature of at least 20°C. About 40 species are found in the Indo-West Pacific region, 16 species in the Atlantic Ocean, and in the east Pacific Ocean- 20 types. In summer, many species migrate north as far as the southern coasts of Denmark and Norway, swimming into the English Channel. Many flying fish live off the coast of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea, where this fish is considered national symbol, and the country itself has unofficial name"land of the flying fish" The fish have short jaws and pectoral fins commensurate with the length of the body. The color is usually gray-blue with a darker back and fins of various colors: blue, green, brown, transparent. The sizes of individuals vary from 15 to 50 cm.

In moments of danger, and sometimes for no apparent reason, the fish, using strong blows with its tail (up to 70 times per second), instantly jumps out of the water and soars through the air with the help of its wide pectoral fins. The evolution of flying fish occurred in two directions. As a result, some fish species use only their pectoral fins to fly, while others use their pectoral and ventral fins. The structure of the tail also reflects the ability to fly: the rays of the caudal fin are rigidly linked to each other and the lower blade is much larger than the upper one. Species with a short pectoral fin have a shorter flight range compared to species with long fins. Flying fish can change the angle of their fins to control their flight direction. They take off at an angle of 35-45 degrees relative to the surface of the water and glide in the air, gradually descending towards the water again. Typically, the soaring flight range is 50 meters, but there are known cases when the range increased to 400 meters due to the use of air currents over water by fish. The flying fish accelerates to 60 km/h and hovers above the water at a height of about one meter. It is not able to control its flight, so there are cases when a flying fish crashes into the side of the ship or falls onto the deck.

Flying fish gather in small schools. Some species live only in the coastal zone, some only in the open ocean. And there are also species that can live in the open ocean and return to the coast during the spawning season. Lay eggs red-orange color, attaching it to algae or fruits of land plants that have fallen into the water, coconuts, bird feathers and other floating debris. They feed on small crustaceans, plankton, fish larvae, and pteropods. At the same time, they themselves serve as a food base for some predatory fish, squid, and seabirds. At night, flying fish are attracted to bright light, which is what local residents use to catch them. A fisherman places a boat filled with water in the sea at night and lights a lamp on it. It turns out to be a trap for fish that “fly” into the light and are unable to get out of the boat back, since they do not have enough space to gain the speed necessary to jump.

Flying fish have tasty meat, so in a number of countries, for example, India, Japan, Polynesia, they are the subject of industrial fishing. This fish is of greatest commercial importance in Japan, where its fishing accounts for almost half of the total world catch.

In addition to meat, the Japanese eat the caviar of this fish, known as “tobiko” and used to prepare sushi, rolls and other dishes of national Japanese cuisine. Caviar does not have a distinct color, so it is dyed with various natural dyes, as a result of which it can acquire bright green, purple, and bright orange colors.

Composition and beneficial features flying fish

Flying fish meat is very tasty and tender, it contains up to 30% proteins that are easily digestible by the body, and is rich in fats. Phosphorus, necessary for the proper formation of the musculoskeletal system, and potassium, responsible for muscle contraction and the work of the heart muscle, are contained in the meat and caviar of flying fish in large quantities. When eating this fish, a person receives a lot of vitamins: vitamin A, which affects the condition of the skin and visual acuity, increases the body’s resistance to diseases, vitamin D, necessary for the complete absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Fish also contains a whole range of B vitamins.

Flying fish caviar is considered a high-calorie and energetically valuable product, therefore it is consumed during large periods. physical activity, useful as a general tonic for exhaustion and anemia. Recommended for use by pregnant women and the elderly (in small quantities).

Contraindications

Individual intolerance to any seafood or allergic reactions for fish.

Flying fish have short jaws and pectoral fins reaching large sizes, commensurate with the length of the body. Nevertheless, they are very close to the lunars, from whose ancestors they originate. This closeness is manifested, in particular, in the fact that the fry of some species (for example, long-snouted flying fish- Fodiator acutus) have an elongated lower jaw and in appearance are quite similar to half-snouts. We can say that such flying fish go through a “half-snout stage” in their individual development.

Representatives of this family do not reach large sizes. Most close-up view - giant flying fish(Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus) - can have a length of about 50 cm, and the smallest do not exceed 15 cm. The color of flying fish is quite typical for the inhabitants of the surface layer open sea: Their back is dark blue and their underparts are silver. The color of the pectoral fins is very diverse, which can be either plain (transparent, blue, green or brown) or variegated (spotted or striped).

Flying fish inhabit the waters of all warm seas, representing a characteristic element of the geographical landscape of the tropical ocean. This family has more than 60 species, grouped into 7 genera. The flying fish fauna of the Indo-West Pacific region is especially diverse, where there are more than 40 species belonging to this family. About 20 species of flying fish have been found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, but only 16 species in the Atlantic Ocean.

The distribution area of ​​flying fish, roughly speaking, is limited to waters with temperatures above 20°C. Still, most species are found only in the warmest areas of the World Ocean at water temperatures above 23°C. For peripherals tropical zone, subject to winter cooling, there are only a few species of subtropical flying fish, which are sometimes found even at 16-18°C. In the warm season, single individuals of flying fish occasionally enter areas remote from the tropics. Off the coast of Europe, they are recorded all the way to the English Channel and even to southern Norway and Denmark, and in Soviet Far Eastern waters they are found in Peter the Great Gulf, where they were caught several times Japanese flying fish(Cheilopogon doederleinii).

Most characteristic feature flying fish is their ability to fly, which apparently developed as an adaptation to escape from predators. This ability is expressed in different kinds to varying degrees. The habitat of such species of flying fish that have relatively short pectoral fins (among others, long-snouted bat Fodiator), less perfect than species with long “wings”. Moreover, the evolution of flight within the family apparently occurred in two directions. One of them led to the formation of “two-winged” flying fish, using only pectoral fins when flying, which reach very large sizes. A typical representative"two-winged" flying fish, sometimes compared to monoplane airplanes, is common dipteran(Exocoetus volitans). Another direction is represented by “four-winged” flying fish (4 genera and about 50 species), which are likened to biplanes. The flight of these fish is carried out with the help of two pairs of bearing planes, since they have enlarged not only pectoral, but also ventral fins, and at the juvenile stages of development, both fins have approximately the same area. Both directions in the evolution of flight led to the formation of forms well adapted to life in the surface layers of the ocean. At the same time, in addition to the development of “wings”, adaptation to flight was reflected in flying fish in the structure of the caudal fin, the rays of which are rigidly connected to each other and the lower blade is very large compared to the upper, in the extraordinary development of a huge swim bladder, which continues under the spine until the tail , and in a number of other features.

The flight of “four-winged” flying fish reaches the greatest range and duration. Having developed considerable speed in the water, such a fish jumps to the surface of the sea and glides along it for some time (sometimes for a very short time) with its pectoral fins spread, vigorously accelerating its movement with the help of the oscillatory movements of the long lower blade of the caudal fin submerged in the water. While still in the water, the flying fish reaches a speed of about 30 km/h, and on the surface it increases it to 60-65 km/h. Then the fish lifts off the water and, spreading its pelvic fins, glides over its surface. In some cases, when flying, a flying fish sometimes touches the water with its tail and, by vibrating it, receives additional acceleration. The number of such touches can reach three or four, and in this case the duration of the flight naturally increases. Usually, a flying fish is in flight for no more than ten seconds and during this time flies several tens of meters, but sometimes the flight duration increases to 30 seconds, and its range reaches 200 and even 400 m. Apparently, the flight duration is to some extent depends on atmospheric conditions, since in the presence of weak winds or rising air currents, flying fish fly long distances and stay in flight longer.

Many sailors and travelers who observed flying fish from the deck of a ship stated that they “clearly saw that the fish flaps its wings in the same way as a dragonfly or a bird does.” In fact, the “wings” of flying fish remain completely motionless during flight and do not flap or oscillate. Only the angle of inclination of the fins can apparently change, and this allows the fish to slightly change the direction of flight. The trembling of the fins, which eyewitnesses note, is not the cause of the flight, but its consequence. It is explained by the involuntary vibration of the straightened fins, especially strong in those moments when the fish, already in the air, still continues to work in the water with its caudal fin.

Flying fish usually live in small schools, usually containing up to a dozen individuals. These schools consist of fish of similar sizes belonging to the same species. Individual schools are often grouped into larger schools, and in the most feeding areas, significant concentrations of flying fish, consisting of many schools, are sometimes formed.

Flying fish (as well as other garfish) are extremely characterized by a positive reaction to light. At night, flying fish are attracted by sources of artificial lighting (for example, ship lights, as well as special lights used to attract fish). They usually fly up to the light source over the water, often hitting the side of the boat, or slowly swim up to the lamp with their pectoral fins spread.

All flying fish feed on planktonic animals living in the surface layer, mainly small crustaceans and pteropods, as well as fish larvae. At the same time, the flying fish themselves serve as important food for many predatory fish of the tropical ocean (coryphaen, tuna, etc.), as well as squid and seabirds.

The species composition of flying fish varies markedly in coastal and offshore areas. There are species that are found only in the immediate vicinity of the coasts, others can go out into the open ocean, but return to breeding grounds. coastal zone, still others constantly inhabit the ocean spaces. The main reason for this division is different requirements for spawning conditions. Coast-breeding species lay their eggs, equipped with sticky thread-like appendages, on algae attached to the bottom or floating near the surface. Off the coast of Kyushu, for example, Japanese flying fish spawn in early summer. At this time, large schools of flying fish approach the shore in the evenings in places where there are thickets of algae, and gather at night at the bottom at a depth of about 10 m. During spawning, flying fish fly over the algae circular movements with spread pectoral fins, releasing eggs and milk. In this case, the water is colored greenish-milky over several tens of meters.

Oceanic flying fish usually use as a spawning substrate the small amount of floating material that is always available in the sea: various “fins” of coastal origin (drifting algae, branches and fruits of land plants, coconuts), feathers of birds and even siphonophore sailfish (Velella ), living on the surface of the water. Only “diptera” flies (from the genus Exocoetus) have floating eggs that have lost trailing filamentous outgrowths.

Flying fish have tasty meat and are actively used in fishing in some areas of the tropical and subtropical zones. For local consumption, these fish are caught in almost all tropical countries, and in a number of places there is also a special fishery, which is produced in most cases by artisanal methods.

On the islands of Polynesia, flying fish are caught with hooks, baited pieces of shrimp, as well as nets and nets at night, attracting the fish to boats with the light of lit torches or lanterns. With the latter method, the flying fish themselves fly into the fishermen's nets. In the Philippine Islands, various net traps, gill nets and purse seines are used to catch flying fish, and fishing is usually carried out with a “drive”, when several special boats, scaring the fish, drive them towards the nets. Quite a significant fishery exists in India. There it is produced mainly during the spawning of flying fish using artificial floating spawning grounds (in the form of bundles of branches towed behind a boat), to which spawning fish gather and are then caught in nets. Flying fish are also caught in China, Vietnam, Indonesia (where, in addition to catching the fish themselves, it is also practiced to collect their eggs deposited on coastal vegetation), on the islands Caribbean Sea and in other areas. The most significant fishery using modern methods fishing (drifter nets, purse seines, etc.) exists in Japan. The country's flying fish catch accounts for more than half of the world's catch.

Animal life: in 6 volumes. - M.: Enlightenment. Edited by professors N.A. Gladkov, A.V. Mikheev. 1970 .

- This term has other meanings, see Flying Fish (constellation). Flying fish... Wikipedia

Family of marine fish of the order Garfish. Length 15–55 cm. Over 70 species, in tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. In Russia in the Sea of ​​Japan. They “fly” over water up to 200 (sometimes up to 400) meters. An object… … encyclopedic Dictionary

FLYING FISH- Origin: Exocoetidae is a family of marine fish of the order Garfish, small pelagic, usually schooling fish. More than 60 species; length 15-50 cm. They have long pectoral, and some Flying Fish also abdominal, fins and an elongated lower blade... ... Marine encyclopedic reference book

- (Exocoetidae) family of fish of the order Garfish. Body length up to 45 cm. The pectoral fins are located high, very long and wide, an adaptation to soaring flight over water, which is a means of escape from pursuing predatory fish.… … Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Common dolper- (Exocoetus volitans) see also FLYING FISH FAMILY (EXOCOETIDAE) The common longfin has an oblong body, covered with large, easily falling round scales. The lateral line is located very low, almost along the edge of the abdomen. The head is small with... Pisces of Russia. Directory

- (Beloniformes), an order of ray-finned (see ray-finned FISH) fish. Known since the Eocene (see EOCENE DIVISION). 4 families and about 150 species, widely distributed in warm waters The world's oceans and fresh water bodies, in the upper layers of water. All garfish... encyclopedic Dictionary

Someone born to crawl cannot fly, but someone born to swim can do it! Flying fish Exocoetidae are a mystery of nature, in which there is nothing mysterious, given evolution and the fact that at the dawn of civilization we all came out of the world's oceans.

Flying fish are found in the warmest sea and ocean waters; there are 40 species of them, and in Barbados they are a national character. Japan, Vietnam and China, for which nothing is sacred in the fish world (however, this fish is not protected by ecologists), consider Exocoetidae commercial, and for pirates of the Caribbean they are a coveted delicacy.

How does a flying fish fly? Before takeoff, it quickly moves its tail 70 times before dashing to the surface. The body shape is similar to the fuselage of an airplane or, as it is otherwise called, torpedo-shaped to ensure streamlining and reduce air resistance. The aerodynamic properties of the fins-wings located on the ribs are also akin to the wing of an airplane and, in fact, the wing of a bird. The fish directs them slightly upward to provide lift, while it can catch rising air currents and thus fly 150 or even 300 meters. There are also flying fish equipped with two additional fins in the lower part of the body - these individuals can fly 400 meters. not worth it. At the end of the flight, the pectoral fins fold and the fish falls back into the water - or it can simply push off the surface with its tail and change direction.

What does it eat? Plankton and other small organisms.

Who is he afraid of? Flying fish are hunted by marlin, tuna, swordfish, mackerel and other large predators. There are also very dexterous birds with the offensive name of gannets, which have adapted to lie in wait for the moment when the flyers have to fly up from under the bow of a ship cutting a wave. However, Exocoetidae can quite deftly flee from all these hunters. But hiding or hiding from a person turns out to be more difficult. Fishermen specially go out to sea at night in boats illuminated by a lantern, because flying fish, like moths, fly towards the light - and as a result fall straight into the boat.

Flying fish Exocoetidae on video: