Several marine species of the family Exocoetidae; extremely fast swimmers able to launch out of the water using enlarged caudal and pectoral fins. They range widely across warm oceans. Food species include Exocoetus volitans, Cypselurus spp. and Prognichthys spp., marketed fresh or dried and particularly popular in Japan. In Barbados flying fish (Hirundichthys affinis) is the national dish, and in Japan tobiko — the small orange roe — garnishes sushi. The fish are caught at night under lights as they glide above the surface; drying and salting preserve the catch where cold chains are limited, and freshness grading follows standard pelagic-fish criteria.