Editing Flying fish (section)

== Distribution and description ==
[[File:Flying Fish (PSF).png|thumb|left|Flying fish]]
[[File:Pink-wing flying fish.jpg|thumb|Flying fish taking off]]

Flying fish live in all of the [[oceans]], particularly in [[tropics|tropical]] and warm [[subtropical]] waters. They are commonly found in the [[epipelagic zone]], the top layer of the ocean to a depth of about {{cvt|200|m|ft}}.

Numerous morphological features give flying fish the ability to leap above the surface of the ocean. One such feature is fully broadened [[neural arches]], which act as insertion sites for [[connective tissue]]s and ligaments in a fish's skeleton. Fully broadened neural arches act as more stable and sturdier sites for these connections, creating a strong link between the [[vertebral column]] and [[cranium]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite journal |last1=Dasilao |first1=Juanito C. |last2=Yamaoka |first2=Kosaku |title=Development of the vertebral column and caudal complex in a flyingfish,Parexocoetus mento mento (Teleostei: Exocoetidae) |journal=Ichthyological Research |date=September 1998 |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=303–308 |doi=10.1007/BF02673928 |bibcode=1998IchtR..45..303D |s2cid=33251544 }}</ref> A steady glide will improve their flight duration and allow them to be above water. An unsteady glide will not impact their flight as much but will shorten their flight duration not much more than a steady flight. This also will vary based on their energy consumption.<ref>Kawachi, K., Inada, Y., & Azuma, A. (1993). ''Optimal Flight Path of Flying Fish''</ref> This ultimately allows a rigid and sturdy vertebral column (body) that is beneficial in flight. Having a rigid body during glided flight gives the flying fish [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] advantages, increasing its speed and improving its aim.<ref name="auto1"/> Furthermore, flying fish have developed [[vertebral columns]] and [[ossification|ossified]] [[Fish fin#AnchCaudal|caudal]] complexes.<ref name="auto2">{{cite journal |last1=Dasilao |first1=Juanito C. |last2=Sasaki |first2=Kunio |title=Phylogeny of the flyingfish family Exocoetidae (Teleostei, Beloniformes) |journal=Ichthyological Research |date=January 1998 |volume=45 |issue=4 |pages=347–353 |doi=10.1007/BF02725187 |bibcode=1998IchtR..45..347D |s2cid=24966029 }}</ref> These features provide the majority of strength to the flying fish, allowing them to physically lift their bodies out of water and glide remarkable distances. These additions also reduce the flexibility of the flying fish, allowing them to perform powerful leaps without weakening midair.<ref name="auto2"/> At the end of a glide, they fold their [[Fish fin#AnchPectoral|pectoral fins]] to re-enter the sea, or drop their tails into the water to push against the water to lift for another glide, possibly changing direction.<ref name=performance>{{cite journal |last1=Fish |first1=F. E. |title=Wing design and scaling of flying fish with regard to flight performance |journal=Journal of Zoology |date=July 1990 |volume=221 |issue=3 |pages=391–403 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1990.tb04009.x }}</ref><ref name=history>{{cite journal |last=Kutschera |first=U. |year=2005 |title=Predator-driven macroevolution in flyingfishes inferred from behavioural studies: historical controversies and a hypothesis |journal=[[Annals of the History and Philosophy of Biology]] |volume=10 |pages=59–77 |url=http://www.evolutionsbiologen.de/flyingfishes.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820072237/http://www.evolutionsbiologen.de/flyingfishes.pdf |archive-date=2007-08-20 }}</ref> The curved profile of the "wing" is comparable to the aerodynamic shape of a bird wing.<ref name=fin>{{cite journal |last=Fish |first=F. |year=1991 |title=On a fin and a prayer |journal=[[Scholars (journal)|Scholars]] |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=4–7 |url=http://darwin.wcupa.edu/~biology/fish/pubs/pdf/1991SOnafin.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102103320/http://darwin.wcupa.edu/~biology/fish/pubs/pdf/1991SOnafin.pdf |archive-date=2013-11-02 }}</ref> The fish is able to increase its time in the air by flying straight into or at an angle to the direction of [[updraft]]s created by a combination of [[air current|air]] and [[ocean current]]s.<ref name=performance/><ref name=history/>

Species of genus ''[[Exocoetus]]'' have one pair of fins and  streamlined bodies to optimize for speed, while ''[[Cypselurus]]'' spp. have flattened bodies and two pairs of fins, which maximize their time in the air. From 1900 to the 1930s, flying fish were studied as possible models used to develop airplanes.<ref name=history/>

The Exocoetidae feed mainly on [[plankton]]. Predators include [[dolphin]]s, [[tuna]], [[marlin]], [[bird]]s, [[squid]], and [[porpoise]]s.<ref name=history/>

=== Flight measurements ===
In May 2008, a Japanese television crew ([[NHK]]) filmed a flying fish (dubbed "Icarfish") off the coast of [[Yakushima Island]], Japan. The fish spent 45 seconds in flight.<ref name=aa>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7410421.stm |title=Fast flying fish glides by ferry |date=May 20, 2008 |access-date=May 20, 2008 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> The previous record was 42 seconds.<ref name=aa/>

The flights of flying fish are typically around {{cvt|50|m|ft}},<ref name="Piper 2034">[[Ross Piper]] (2007), ''Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals'', [[Greenwood Press (publisher)|Greenwood Press]].{{pn|date=October 2022}}</ref> though they can use updrafts at the leading edge of waves to cover distances up to {{cvt|400|m}}.<ref name="Piper 2034" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Flying Fish |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/flying-fish |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228002821/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/flying-fish |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |website=National Geographic |date=11 April 2010 }}</ref> They can travel at speeds of more than {{cvt|70|km/h}}.<ref name=history/> Maximum altitude is {{cvt|6|m}} above the surface of the sea.<ref name=fin/> Flying fish often accidentally land on the decks of smaller vessels.<ref name=history/><ref>{{cite book |author=Joseph Banks |url=http://setis.library.usyd.edu.au/ozlit/pdf/p00021.pdf |title=The Endeavour Journal of Sir Joseph Banks 1768–1771 |year=1997 |publisher=[[University of Sydney Library]] |access-date=July 16, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Churchill: Taken from the Diaries of Lord Moran|last = Moran|page = 819}}</ref>