family exocoetidae

[Dennistup]

flying fishes; closely related to the halfbeaks

[Carollacob]

Family Exocoetidae, commonly known as flying fish, is a family of marine fish that possess enlarged pectoral fins which allow them to glide or fly above the water surface to escape from predators. They are found in all the major oceans, particularly in warm tropical and subtropical waters. The family comprises about 64 species grouped into seven to nine genera. They have a streamlined appearance, are covered with large, rigid, scale plates and mainly feed on plankton.