California flying fish

California flying fish
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Beloniformes
Family:	Exocoetidae
Genus:	Cheilopogon
Species:	C. pinnatibarbatus
Trinomial name
Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus californicus (J. G. Cooper, 1863)
Synonyms
Cypselurus californicus

The California flying fish, Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus californicus, is a subspecies of Pacific flying fish. It grows up to 18 inches (45 cm) in length, and up to 2 lbs (1 kg) in weight. It is the largest member of the flying fish family. It is found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, from Oregon to Baja California. As with all other flying fish, the California can not actually fly, but it can swim up to 30 mph and launch itself into the air, using its specially adapted fins to glide for up to 1/4 mile. Its tail fins will vibrate to taxi along the surface.