In our daily lives, we may often hear the allusion to "fish leaping over the dragon gate", but have you ever wondered what a fish that can really jump in the water and fly in the air like a bird will look like?
That's right, this is the flying fish! Unlike other fish, flying fish have amazing flying ability, can swim in water and fly in the air, showing a magical charm. So, today we will find out what surprises these feathered fish!
1. Soarers in the water and get a glimpse of their amazing ability to fly
The flying fish fly so amazing that many scientists want to understand how they accomplish this feat. Studies have shown that flying fish is a peculiar creature that belongs to the family Cyprinidae, a fish adapted to the marine environment. Flying fish get their name from their ability to fly, they can soar hundreds of meters or even more than a thousand meters on the surface of the sea, known as the "birds of the sea".
The flying fish has an oval body shape and is generally 30-40 cm long and up to 80 cm. The flying fish has a small, round head, large and prominent eyes, and a broad, flattened tail. They have a pair of long dorsal and fins on their bodies, which are key to their flight. Flying fish usually have a silvery-gray appearance, but there are some species that have a more colorful appearance.
Flying fish is a type of fish that likes to swim on the surface of the ocean, and they live mainly in warm seas. They are carnivorous and feed on small plankton, fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Flying fish are benthic organisms that usually inhabit sandy beaches and shoals on the bottom of the sea. During the breeding season, they swim to shallow coastal waters or sandy beaches to spawn.
But flying fish are best known for their ability to fly. Flying fish usually charge while swimming and then rapidly vibrate their dorsal and fins, creating a powerful thrust that makes them jump out of the water. After jumping out of the water, they continue to flap their fins and fly towards their destination.
Because of their unique fins and wings, they can glide through the air for a long time. Some flying fish are even able to fly in the air for more than 30 seconds and fly more than 400 meters.
The flight of flying fish is not always smooth sailing, and they also encounter many risks and difficulties. For example, when flying fish are flying, their bodies become very dry and need to be re-wetted in the water to survive. In addition, flying fish are easy prey for large fish, seabirds and other predators.
Studies have shown that the flying fish's ability to fly gradually developed tens of millions of years ago. Over a long period of evolution, they have gradually adapted to various challenges in the marine environment, evolving unique flight capabilities and adaptive characteristics.
For example, their tails become more elongated and allow for better control of direction and posture; The pectoral fins become larger and can provide more flight power. These evolutionary processes have also made flying fish one of the important objects of biological research.
2. The culture and legend of flying fish
First, flying fish are seen as mascots or symbols in some cultures. In Japan, flying fish is considered a lucky fish that can bring good luck and good luck. Every year in July, there is also a traditional event in Japan called the "Flying Fish Festival", where people watch the spectacular sight of flying fish leaping from the seashore, and pray for a good harvest and happiness.
In countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, flying fish are also considered a symbol of blessing and wealth, and are used for decoration and gift-giving.
In Barbados, flying fish are known as "flying fish" and are considered one of the country's symbols and are printed on the national flag and postage stamps.
In Mexico and Panama, flying fish are used as folk remedies and are believed to be able to treat skin diseases and symptoms of fatigue.
Secondly, flying fish also have some myths and legends and works of art. In Greek mythology, there is a mysterious creature called "Icarus", which is a fish that can fly freely, can freely travel between the sky and the sea, and is the pet of Poseidon, the god of the sea.
In Chinese culture, there are also legends about flying fish, which are believed to be mysterious creatures that incarnate as dragons, representing power and magic. In addition, flying fish are also a popular subject in the field of art, for example, the image of flying fish appears in many paintings and sculptures.
For example, in Taiwan, there is a "flying fish season" event every summer, where thousands of tourists gather on the northeast corner coast to watch the flying fish show. In some parts of southern China, flying fish is regarded as an important ingredient on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and people use flying fish to cook food, such as steaming, grilling, frying and so on.
Flying fish are very magical and colorful creatures, and their body structure, unique way of flying, and meaning and symbolism in different cultures have made them objects of attention and research.
3. Reproduction of flying fish
Another interesting fact is that flying fish also reproduce in a very unique way. They gather together during the breeding season and then jump out of the water to lay eggs and fertilize. This type of reproduction is known as "leap spawning". Some studies have shown that leapfrogging can help flying fish avoid being attacked by large predators such as whale sharks, while also allowing them to spawn in shallower waters, improving the survival rate of juveniles.
There are many species of flying fish, which vary in size and color. The largest flying fish can be up to 45 cm long, while the smallest flying fish are only 2 cm long. Flying fish usually feed on plankton and small fish, but some fly fish eat small crustaceans in shallow seas.
The life cycle of flying fish is often similar to that of other fish, they lay eggs and hatch in the ocean. The reproduction and migration of flying fish is often associated with seasonal changes in temperature and shallow sea environments.
During the breeding season, some species of flying fish gather in specific waters for mating and spawning. During incubation, the eggs of flying fish take days to weeks to hatch, and after hatching, the hatching juveniles will grow in the ocean and gradually grow into adult flying fish. Flying fish can usually live in the ocean for several years, and their lifespan varies according to the species, with the longest-lived flying fish living to more than 10 years.
4. The relationship between flying fish and humans
In human history, the relationship between flying fish and humans is relatively complicated. Flying fish have a special place in many cultures, given symbolism of auspiciousness, luck and mystery. In some places, flying fish are also eaten and used medicinally as a delicacy and medicinal herb.
However, modern industrialization and fishing activities pose a great threat to the survival of flying fish. Due to massive fishing and overexploitation, the number of flying fish has declined dramatically. Some species of flying fish have even been listed as endangered. In addition, issues such as marine pollution and climate change have also had a serious impact on the living environment of flying fish.
In order to protect flying fish and their ecological environment, many countries and regions have begun to take measures, such as banning overfishing, establishing protected areas and reducing marine pollution. These measures provide a better guarantee for the survival and reproduction of flying fish.
In general, flying fish are very interesting and precious creatures, and their ecological, behavioral and cultural significance deserve our in-depth understanding and attention. At the same time, protecting flying fish and marine ecology is also our common responsibility and mission.