California flying fish facts for kids

An image of the California flying fish, Cypselurus californicus, gliding above the water.

Quick facts for kids California flying fish
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Beloniformes
Family:	Exocoetidae
Genus:	Cheilopogon
Species:	C. pinnatibarbatus
Subspecies:	C. p. californicus
Trinomial name
Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus californicus (J. G. Cooper, 1863)
Synonyms
Cypselurus californicus

The California flying fish is a special type of Bennett's flying fish. Its scientific name is Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus californicus. Before the 1970s, scientists thought it was its own unique species. There are actually about 40 different kinds of flying fish in the world!

This fish can grow up to 19 inches (48 cm) long. That makes it the biggest member of the entire flying fish family. You can find it in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. It lives in waters from Oregon all the way down to Baja California. Even though it's called a "flying fish," it doesn't actually fly like a bird. Instead, it launches itself out of the water. It uses its special fins to glide along the surface of the ocean.

The California flying fish usually lives far out in the open ocean. But at night, it swims closer to shore. It does this to find food and lay its eggs. It often lays eggs safely among the kelp beds.

Amazing "Flight" Abilities

The California flying fish is famous for its ability to "fly." This amazing skill helps it escape from predators in the ocean. It can launch itself out of the water at speeds over 56 kilometers (35 miles) per hour!

When it "flies," the fish glides on its large pectoral fins. These fins look a lot like wings. A typical "flight" can cover about 25 feet (7.6 meters). It can reach a height of about 5 feet (1.5 meters) above the water. A California flying fish can often make up to five "flights" in a row. Each one usually goes a bit shorter and lower than the last.

This fish has a super smooth, streamlined body. This shape helps it cut through the air easily. Its wing-like fins can also lie flat against its body. These features are perfect for its incredible gliding.

Where Flying Fish Live

The main thing that decides where these flying fish live is the sea surface temperature. Warmer water helps them glide better. The California flying fish needs water temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius to reach its top speed. Because of this, you'll find most of them in the waters of southern California and Baja California.

Flying fish are ocean creatures. They prefer warm, tropical, and mild climates. The eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is home to most flying fish species. It's also where many of their predators live. These fish aren't picky eaters. They can find tiny plants and other small organisms almost anywhere. So, you can find different types of flying fish in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

What Flying Fish Eat

Flying fish are big enough to eat tiny ocean creatures called zooplankton. But they are also small enough to be eaten by bigger predators. This means flying fish are a very important part of the ocean's food web. They connect the tiny organisms to the larger animals that hunt them.