Further Musings On Flying Fish
16 June 2015
Tom
As many of you realize from reading our previous blogs, the trip up to Fiji from New Zealand wasn't all that much fun. However, between periods of nausea and sailing the boat I was able to make a few more observations of flying fish. I wrote about them about 2 years ago and thought an update was in order.
I previously identified 3 general categories of flying fish and am now happy to announce that I have identified 2 more distinct groups.
The first new category are the long distance solo fliers. These fish cover amazing distances in a single flight and I must admit I wondered about fuel supplies, efficiency and purposes of this new group. Could they possibly be advanced scouts for the others to follow? What I have surmised is that they seem to have small, very efficient refuelling stations at the tip of waves. This is evidenced by observations of these distance fliers momentarily touching the tips of waves as they fly. For what other purpose but to refuel would this serve? I would welcome any other ideas.
The second major new group I have seen are the large lumbering group. These are much larger than the average flying fish and seem to work harder at takeoff and make slower shorter trips. I expect they may be some sort of cargo fish. Perhaps they provide fuel to the wave tips for the fore mentioned long distance fliers?
Regardless these are my most recent theories (musings?) on one of the wonderful distractions of long ocean passages. I will keep you posted if further subcategories declare themselves.