The document provides an overview of flying fish, specifically the tropical two-winged flying fish (Exocoetus volitans), detailing its classification, habitat, external appearance, flight mechanism, prey and predators, migration patterns, and economic importance. It highlights its unique ability to glide above water for significant distances and outlines its role in commercial fishing and cultural significance in regions like Barbados and Taiwan. The lifespan of these fish is approximately five years, and they have a notable adaptation allowing them to evade predators and migrate effectively.

1. FLYING FISH
SYBSc Semester III
University of Mumbai
Zoology – Paper III
Unit 1 – Animal Wonders

2. Classification
Kingdom – Animalia
Phyllum – Chordata
Class – Actinopterygii ( fins supported by rays, bony fish )
Order – Beloniformes ( small and shallow bodied, upturned mouth )
Family – Exocoetidae ( family of flying fish )
Genus – Exocoetus
Common Indian specie : Exocoetus volitans L.
Common name – Tropical two-winged flying fish
Name in Marathi – पाखारू मासा , काठाळा

3. Category

4. Geographic Range and Habitat
• Tropical and Sub-tropical zone of ocean
• Found in warmer tropical , climate
• At the surface of ocean , at depth 0 – 20 meter
• Oceanodromous migration

5. External
appearance
• Large pectoral fins and
unevenly forked tail,
lower lobe longer than
upper lobe
• Enlarged pelvic fins
• Due to these fins, it is
called as four-winged
flying fish
• Size – 18 inches at
maturity ( 1.5 feet )
• Weight – 2 pounds at
maturity

6. Amazing facts
• Ability to fly
• Beating tail 70 times per second during flight
• Capable to fly up to height of 20 feet
• Typical height of flight – 4 to 5 feet
• Typical length of flight – 150 feet
• Typical duration of flight – 15 to 20 seconds
• Maximum duration recorded – 45 seconds
• Lifespan – 5 years
• 40 known species in the world

7. Mechanism of flight
•To launch itself into the air, fish angles itself to a
projectory to reach the surface, beating its tail up to
70 times per second.
•As it breaks the surface of water, it spreads its large
pectoral fins and glides.
•As it looses momentum, it puts its fins down and re-
enters the water.
•Sometimes it can just touch the surface of water and
regain altitude for another glide.

8. Prey and Predator
• Flying fish feeds on – smaller fish , plankton (small
finfishes, pteropods, ostracods, amphipods, decapods,
chaetognaths, ascidians, siphonophores, salp )
• Predators of flying fish –
 Marine mammals : Dolphins, Sea lions ,Swordfish ,
Tuna , Marlin
Sea birds : Boobies, Noddies, Frigate birds

9. Migration
• Migration is oceanodromous
• Migration within ocean typically between spawning and different
feeding areas
• Migration cyclical and predictable
• Migration covers more than 100 km

12. Economic importance
• Commercial fishing as a food, especially in
Barbados, Taiwan
• In Barbados, cultural value of Flying fish is :
 National dish
 Dollar coin
 Definitive stamps
 Promotionary material
• Festival on arrival of Flying fish - Taiwan

13. Thank You !