Flying fish

Depth: 10 m · Sunlight Zone

The flying fish can glide over the water on its large pectoral fins like wings to escape hunters. With a powerful flick of its tail it shoots out of the water and sails hundreds of meters just above the waves.

For scientists

Flying fish (Exocoetidae) build up speed at the surface by rapidly beating the elongated lower lobe of the tail, then glide on stiff, wing-like pectoral fins. Single glides last over 40 seconds and cover hundreds of meters. This is how they escape predators like tuna and mahi-mahi.

🌊 Swim straight to it in 3D

Discover more

Emperor angelfishEnduranceFish SchoolFrogfishGiant clamGiant isopodAll cards in the library