lautnusantara.com Flying fish, members of the family Exocoetidae, are unique in their ability to glide across the water's surface. This ability serves as their primary defense mechanism against aquatic predators and also plays a vital role in the marine ecosystem.

Biological Uniqueness
Flying fish don't actually fly like birds, but instead glide through the air using their enormous, wing-like pectoral fins. To glide, flying fish swim quickly to the water's surface, powerfully moving their asymmetrical tail fins (hypokersals), then emerge from the water and spread their "wings" to glide. The long, lower tail fin is used to provide the final thrust upon leaving the water and to guide the glide. Some species can even glide for distances of 200-400 meters and reach heights of over 6 meters.

Other physical adaptations that support this ability include:

• A streamlined torpedo-shaped body shape to reduce drag.
• Strong pectoral muscles to propel the "wing" fins during gliding.

Role in the Ecosystem
Flying fish play a dual role in the marine food chain, acting as both prey and predator.

• As Prey: Their gliding ability is an effective anti-predator strategy. They are an important food source for larger pelagic predators such as tuna, marlin, dolphins, and seabirds. Their abundance helps sustain these predator populations, maintaining ecosystem balance.
• As Predators: Flying fish primarily feed on plankton and small crustaceans, placing them at a lower trophic level. They help control the populations of these small organisms, preventing excessive population growth that could negatively impact the ecosystem.

Thus, flying fish are a crucial link transferring energy from lower trophic levels (plankton) to higher trophic levels (large fish and marine mammals), making them a keystone species in pelagic aquatic ecosystems.

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