The halfbeak fish, commonly found in the Pacific, Indian, and seas near China, is a small species, with adults reaching a maximum length of 45 cm. Its body resembles a long shuttle used for weaving, with a pair of pectoral fins like bird wings, two-thirds the length of its body, and smaller pelvic fins. Its pectoral and caudal fins are asymmetrically split.

Halfbeak Fish

Although there are many varieties of halfbeak fish, they primarily feed on tiny plankton.

There is a significant difference between the “flight” of the halfbeak and that of birds; more accurately, it is a “glide.” The halfbeak’s pectoral fins are highly developed and can extend up to its tail. Coupled with its streamlined body, it can achieve forward speeds of 10 meters per second in the water and up to 18 meters per second, giving it remarkable propulsion.

The halfbeak’s highly developed pectoral fins

The immense force created by its movement propels the halfbeak into the air, and it can glide for 200 to 400 meters at a height of four to five meters above the water surface. Of course, the halfbeak does not primarily “fly” as its life is aquatic, but this ability is crucial for evading predators.

Halfbeak Fish during breeding season

An impressive spectacle occurs annually during the breeding season when schools of halfbeak fish take to the air in unison. They leap out of the water and glide in undulating waves, resembling silver waves in the ocean. With favorable winds, they can glide as far as 1,000 meters. However, in calm or unfavorable conditions, their gliding distance is limited to about 200 meters.

You may also like

10 Items You Should Never Wear on a Plane to Avoid Hassle

What to Wear on a Flight to Avoid Hassle? Join us as we explore the answer to this query in the article below!

Why do flight attendants choose to sleep overnight in a hotel instead of going home after landing?

Why do many flight attendants choose to stay in hotels instead of going home after their flights land?

Why Air Travel’s IQ Elite Avoid Flip-Flops.

It is important to note that you should not wear flip flops when traveling on an airplane.

The Dangers of In-Flight Flip-Flops: An Uncomfortable Truth Unveiled

While flip-flops may provide you with comfort when walking, it is not recommended to wear them when traveling by plane to avoid health issues.

Why can swiftlets fly continuously for months without resting?

Scientists have long known that swifts can fly continuously for extended periods of time, but it wasn’t until 2016 that they were able to provide concrete evidence and specific numbers.