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Project Noah Nature School
Fodiator acutus
These torpedo-shaped fish "fly" by getting an underwater start, gaining velocity of up to 37 miles per hour. They angle upward, break the surface and begin to taxi by rapidly beating the tail before breaking the surface of the water. Once the water is breached, the fish takes to the air; it can reach heights of up to 4' and glide up to 655'. It can keep the flight going by once again flapping its tail and taxiing on the surface. Flights of 1,312' feet have been recorded. These four-winged fish are attracted to light. They can soar high enough that they can be found on the decks of ships.
Oceans all over the world.
These pictures are, unfortunately, not of the highest quality. I took them from the deck of a cruise ship. The ship was moving at a pretty fast clip and I was attempting not to fall overboard in my pursuit of photographic evidence of these fish. I really could use a longer zoom lens!
Spotted on Mar 23, 2013
Submitted on May 3, 2013
4 Comments
Thanks for the Favorites, Ava T-B and Gerardo Aizpuru :)
Thank you, Gerado Aizpuru and mauna Kunzah. I'm going to keep on trying for that sharp shot!
Nice spot !
I read your notes. Still nice photos for a somewhat haphazard encounter:) I loved seeing these when I was on a ship a long time ago.