Surely, many of you have often admired and marveled at the wonders of the living world. Sometimes it seems that nature has played a trick on many animals, birds and other creatures: mammals carrying eggs; Viviparous reptiles; Birds floating under the water, and ... flying fish. In this article, we will speak specifically about our younger brothers, who have successfully conquered not only the watery abyss, but also the space above it.
Flying fish: distribution area
The family of these miracle fish has more than sixty species that are found in all the southern seas. The Indo-Ocean region has forty species, twenty lives in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. One of them can be found in the seas near Europe (up to the Scandinavian countries). In the waters washing the shores of Russia, Japanese fishing fish are often caught.
general description
Despite the fact that this family is quite large, we note that all species of flying fish have certain characteristic similarities. So, they have a short jaw, and the pectoral fins are very large (commensurate with the length of the trunk). Since these fish live in the upper layers of the high sea, their back is colored dark and the abdomen is silvery-gray. Fins are as a motley color (bright blue, green, yellow), and monophonic. And of course, all of them are united by the ability to fly. Most likely, this feature has evolved as a means of escape from predators. And it should be noted that many of them have pretty well learned to "flutter" over the waters of the seas and oceans. Fishes with long pectoral fins soar much better and more perfect than their brethren with short pectoral fins. During the evolution of the flying fish divided into "Diptera" and "four-winged". "Diptera" use only "pectoral fins", which they have very large sizes. Their movement in the air can be compared with the flight of a monoplane plane. In the "four-winged" fishes, the means for flying are four planes of the pectoral fins. The flight of such "marine flyers" is comparable with the flight of a biplane aircraft. Before you escape from the water and "take off", the fish gathers speed and jumps out of the water, planning in free flight. Fins, like wings, she does not wave at the same time and can not change the direction of soaring. The flight lasts up to forty seconds. Flying fish, basically, are united in small flocks, numbering only a few dozen individuals. But sometimes small groups come together in huge jambs. They feed on plankton, small crustaceans and small insects. Spawning occurs in each species at different times of the year, depending on the habitat. Before starting to spawn, fish make circular motions over algae, and then they release milk and caviar. Each egg has a thin hair attached to it, floating on the surface of the water, clinging to all kinds of garbage: feathers of birds, dead algae, branches, coconuts and even some jellyfish. This makes it possible not to spread eggs for long distances. The flying fish (the photo you see in the article) is an amazing creature. Some representatives of this family will be presented below.
Beef fish
The fish-bat has two more names - a fish-bat, or a fish-shovel. She received so many names thanks to the shape of the body (it has a rounded shape and is absolutely flat) and fins (in young individuals they are very developed and look like the wings of the same mammal). The habitat is the waters of the Red Sea. The body of this fish (as mentioned above) is round in shape, brightly silvery with dark stripes, and also very flat. They live in small flocks, from time to time rushing in search of food to the bottom of the sea. And not so long ago in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico was discovered amazing fish, which also gave the name "bat". But she does not know how to fly at all, but moves along the ocean floor on four fins, very similar to the webbed wings of her mammals. The sight of this miracle of nature is no less amazing: a flat body, large eyes, a huge snub nose and huge lips of bright red color. The body is covered with dark spots. This is a Pacific beauty. Perhaps later it will be given a different name.
Japanese flying fish
The second name is the long-winged Far Eastern. This fish has an elongated long body. The back is dark blue and broad enough, the abdomen is light-silvery. Fins long, well developed. Dimensions of dinokryla rather large - 36 cm Dwells in the Sea of Japan south of the island of Hokkaido. It is a heat-loving species, but sometimes it also swims into the waters of Primorye. Nerestitsya along the coastlines from April to October. It is commercial fish, which is not only used in the local cuisine, but also exported to other countries.
Atlantic flying fish
The second name is the northern flying fish. This is the only representative of flying fish that swim in the seas of Europe. The color of this species is almost the same as that of Japanese relatives. Distinctive features: well developed thoracic and ventral fins of light gray color, along which there is a transverse band of white color. The dorsal fin is much longer than the anal fin. Spawns from May to July. On the surface of the water, long white threads stretch from the eggs. The fry on the chin has a fimbriated tendril, which eventually disappears. The Atlantic flying fish is thermophilic, therefore it swims to the northern seas only in the summer months and stays there until the cold starts.
Flying seafarer fish
This is a very rare fish. It was first discovered in the waters of the Peter the Great Bay in 2005. The body is elongated, slightly flattened at the sides. Head obtuse, four times smaller than the trunk. Pectoral fins short and extend beyond the bases of dorsal fins. It should be noted that this fish was caught only once. Therefore, there is still very little information about it.
Industrial value
The meat of the flying fish is very tasty, and therefore it is of great industrial importance. But not only meat, but also caviar. In Japanese national cuisine, roe, which is given by flying fish (tobiko is its name), takes an honorable place.
Many dishes can not do without it. In addition to excellent taste, caviar and flying fish meat are very useful. They contain about 30% protein; Essential acids; phosphorus; Potassium, necessary for normal operation of the heart and the muscular system; Vitamins D, C and A; All the vitamins of group B. Therefore, this fish is recommended to eat for people who have suffered a serious illness, as well as pregnant women and engaged in heavy physical labor.
Tobiko caviar
Caviar of flying fish in Japan is called tobiko. It is widely used in the national cuisine. Without it, the preparation of famous sushi, rolls and Japanese salads is not complete. The color of the eggs is bright orange. But you certainly met on the shelves of supermarkets or in Japanese restaurants, green or black tobiko caviar. This unusual color is achieved by using natural dyes, for example, wasabi juice or cuttlefish ink. Caviar of flying fish is somewhat dryish, but the Japanese simply adore it and can eat spoons without supplements. In addition, it is very caloric: 100 grams of caviar contains 72 calories. This is a very valuable energy product, especially recommended for pregnant women and children. The processing technology has remained unchanged for more than five hundred years. First, the eggs are soaked in a special sauce, and then stained or left with a natural color, which can be enhanced with the help of ginger juice. The green caviar of flying fish, as well as other flowers, falls on our counters in the form of canned food. And it is, incidentally, not cheap. In the whole world this caviar is considered a delicacy. And if you decide to cook something from Japanese cuisine, the question: "How much does the flying fish roe cost?" - will be very relevant for you. So, for half a kilogram of red tobiko you will give about 700 rubles, and for 100 grams of green caviar about 300 rubles.
Benefits and contraindications
But despite its usefulness, meat and flying fish roe still have some contraindications. The fact is that all seafood, and especially caviar, have a high allergen. Therefore, people who are prone to allergic reactions, should abandon the use of this sea delicacy. Such an amazing creature lives on our planet - a miracle of nature, subdued the two elements - air and water. Scientists are puzzled, because they will have to learn a lot more about this fish. And we - sit comfortably with a jar of green caviar and think that nature is truly unpredictable and amazing.