The Hatchet Fish - Gasteropelecidae

Hatchet fish come from South America and it has been suggested by many authorities that they are a freshwater flying fish.They are not capable of actual flight but are able to leap out of the water and use their lower lobes of the tail fin to propell them forwards , the shape of the pectorals do give a modicum of lift but not sufficient to really cause them to fly. In fact they could be described as aqua-planing and when suffivient speed is reached they can leave the waters surface for a few moments. The leaping is an efficient way of avoiding being eaten by predators.

Remember to cover their aquarium as they are prone to leap out if startled