Why do flying fish leap out of the water?

Flying fish do not truly fly like birds, but they can glide using enlarged pectoral fins, and some species also use their pelvic fins for extra lift. They burst from the water at speed, often to escape tuna, mackerel, or other predators. Once airborne, they can glide for impressive distances, sometimes covering hundreds of meters in a series of leaps. The behavior is an anti-predator adaptation that uses both speed and aerodynamics. Their ability to skim above the waves is one of the ocean’s most dramatic escapes.