Amazing Sea Creatures
Flying Fishes:
The flying fish,
also known as a flying cod, is a family of ray fin marine fish are found in all
the oceans, but mostly in the tropical and subtropical marine waters. Their
front fins (pelvic fins) are modified to make them look like wings. In most
cases. They have two fins, but some species are known to have both front and
hind (pelvic and pectoral) fins are modified to look like fins. In spite of
their name, these fishes cannot fly, they can merely glide above the water’s
surface!They can travel at speeds of more than 70 km/h. The
highest known altitude is 6 m above the surface of the sea.
Why do these fishes fly?
escape predators. Their predators include mackerel, tuna, swordfish, marlin, and other larger fishes.
Once in
the air, though, they sometimes become food for birds. But these smart fishes have come up with a technique to
protect themselves for the birds as well! The young flying fishes have
filaments protruding from their lower jaws that camouflage them as plant
blossoms!
How Do They Fly?
In order to launch themselves into flight, they beat their tails rapidly about 70 times a second and hold their fins close to their bodies. Upon breaking the surface of the water, they extend their wings and start to glide. Their streamlined torpedo shape helps them gather enough underwater speed to break the surface, and their large, wing-like pectoral fins helps them get them airborne.
What do they eat?
Flying
fish eat a variety of foods, but plankton make up a large part of their diet.
They sometimes eat small crustaceans as well. Some
of these fish migrate hundreds of miles throughout the year depending on the
availability of food. Recent human developments of ports and increased usage of
ships have had an impact in their habitat! However, climate change may be
altering their usual migratory routes.
Human Consumption:
Flying
fish are commercially fished in Japan, Vietnam, and China, and in Indonesia. Often
in Japanese cuisine, the fish is preserved by drying to be used
as fish stock. The
are used
to make some types of sushi. Barbados is known
as "the land of the flying fish", and the fish is one of the national
symbols of the country.
INTRESTING FACTS
- According to the fossil record, the modern
flying fish evolved some 66 million years ago. But a separate group of
flying fish, now extinct, may have first evolved more than 200 million
years ago.
Their pursuers include mackerel, tuna, swordfish, marlin, and
other larger fish.
Once in
the air, though, they sometimes become food for birds. Young flying fish may have filaments protruding from their
lower jaws that camouflage them as plant blossoms.
Recent Popular Culture
Creatures
Inspired from flying fishes can be seen swimming in similar manner in the movie
Avatar - Avatar:
The Way of Water
Photo credit - https://discussingfilm.net/2022/12/13/avatar-the-way-of-water-review-never-doubt-james-cameron/
Where does Swarna see the flying fishes in the magical forest?
When Swarna visits the stream of glimmering
waters, she is astonished to see a world underwater, so different from what she
has ever seen. She sees creatures, unthought of and unheard of, like the flying
fishes, the walking fishes(axolotl), which could only be found in the oceans or
at unique parts of the world. If you are curious about learning more about
these creatures from land and the ocean, or to read about her fantastic
adventures, you can get 50% discount on the ecopy of your book by mailing the
author or buy the ebook at discounted rates at amazon.com. You can also order a
hard copy at:
References:
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Fish/Flying-Fish
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_fish
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