Animal Profiles
Fish

Flying Fish

Exocoetidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Flyingfishes escape the water in gliding leaps. This account describes the tropical two-wing flyingfish, a surface-dwelling schooling species found across warm ocean waters.

Historical watercolour of the tropical two-wing flyingfish (Exocoetus volitans) by William Smyth.

Historical watercolour of the tropical two-wing flyingfish (Exocoetus volitans) by William Smyth.

At a glance

Location
Exocoetus volitans is the representative described here. It occupies tropical and subtropical surface waters in several ocean basins, both near shore and offshore. This range should not be assigned to every flyingfish species.
Habitat
Open ocean, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Small crustaceans and other planktonic animals provide food.

Classification

Common name
Flying Fish
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Exocoetidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Beloniformes
Family
Exocoetidae
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It glides above the surface.
  • It forms schools.
  • Its eggs and larvae drift in the water.

Habitat and range

Exocoetus volitans is the representative described here. It occupies tropical and subtropical surface waters in several ocean basins, both near shore and offshore. This range should not be assigned to every flyingfish species.

Appearance and adaptations

A dark iridescent back contrasts with silvery-white underparts. Enlarged pectoral fins form the principal gliding surfaces. The fish glides after leaving the water rather than flying with powered wingbeats.

Diet and behaviour

Small crustaceans and other planktonic animals provide food. Adults form schools and can leap clear of the surface when threatened. Eggs and larvae spend their early stages drifting in the water.

Sources

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