飞鱼属辐鳍纲颌针鱼目，在动物分类学上称为飞鱼科，是一类具有滑翔能力的鱼类。

体态修长，稍稍侧扁，长度一般为45厘米。吻短，口小，眼大。胸鳍发达如翼，腹鳍也比较发达，尾鳍的下叶要比上叶长。由尾部迅速摆动，可达到极大的速度，然后跃出水面，张开胸鳍，可滑行百米以上的距离。

The Exocoetidae are a family of marine fish in the order Beloniformes class Actinopterygii. Fish of this family are known as flying fish. About****species are grouped in seven to nine genera. Flying fish can make powerful, self-propelled leaps out of water into air, where their long, wing-like fins enable gliding flight for considerable distances above the water's surface. This uncommon ability is a natural defense mechanism to evade predators.