Identification
This flying fish is a slender, silvery fish of 15 to 25 cm with enormously enlarged pectoral fins that function as wings. The pectoral fins are dark with a striking mirror-like patch. The body is torpedo-shaped. The lower lobe of the tail fin is longer than the upper, providing thrust for launching from the water.
Ecology
Lives in the open ocean in tropical and subtropical waters. When threatened, the fish launches from the water and glides on spread pectoral fins for up to 200 meters. The tail touches the water to generate additional speed. Feeds on plankton and small fry at the surface.
In the Netherlands
An extremely rare vagrant. Flying fish occasionally appear in the North Sea when warm Atlantic water pushes northward.
