Fish jumping out of water has intrigued humans for centuries, and here are some of the main reasons they display this behaviour.
Seeing a fish jumping out of the water might seem ordinary, but have you ever considered why they do this?
For centuries, the mesmerizing sight has captivated humans; whether it’s salmon making its way upstream or marling skimming the ocean’s surface, this behaviour has left us with a sense of wonder.
Humans have always been inquisitive about the nature around them, and that is why many researchers and marine biologists have delved into this topic to find the answers. So, if you have ever wondered why fish jump out of the water, let us explain.
5. Stress – a reflexive reaction
One of the most common reasons fish jump out of the water is stress, which can happen if they get spooked by a nearby boat or caught in a hook. Another means of stress that might cause a fish to jump might be to remove irritants or parasites on their skin.
Just as humans might jump when they are scared, their bodies are suddenly under stress; fish do the same thing. Jumping is how they respond to challenging situations or changes in their environment. They can jump to seek relief from the stressful situations they are experiencing, helping them cope.
4. Procreation – a desire to reproduce
For some species, jumping out of the water is necessary for reproduction, which could be one reason you see it happening.
While some fish might use jumping to signal their readiness to mate, others jump to avoid obstacles when swimming upstream to spawn in the rivers they were born.
Some fish can incredibly negotiate their way through treacherous waterfalls and rapids for their innate desire to procreate, and witnessing these incredible feats of acrobatics is extraordinary, to say the least.
3. Regulate their oxygen levels – a natural instinct
Like all creatures, fish rely on a steady supply of oxygen to survive and thrive, so if their environment is not giving them what they need, they jump out of the water to replenish themselves.
In stagnant and oxygen-depleted water, you are most likely to spot fish jumping to the surface and believe it or not, some fish have even evolved to breathe outside the water.
In contrast, some other fish have evolved to live in oxygen-scarce environments, and by using the combination of gills and lung-like structures, they can extract much-needed oxygen from water and air to survive.
2. Catching prey – motivated by food
Like most creatures, food is the primary motivation for such behaviours, so fish jump out of the water to catch their prey by surprise. In addition, this also gives them a chance to catch prey that might live on the water’s surface, and some fish can even glide there for a short time.
Fish like trout tend to leap out of the water to catch crickets, while bass jump out to catch dragonflies. Plenty of other types of fish do the same thing, and it is typical behaviour to help them survive, so keep an eye out for fish that can even jump to catch insects from trees.
1. Escaping predators – a survival mechanism
As you might have guessed, one of the main reasons why fish jump out of the water is to escape predators. Fish have evolved defence mechanisms to avoid becoming dinner for large predators, and their ability to leap out of the water at a moment’s notice saves their lives.
By launching out of the water, fish can create confusion for their predators, giving them time to escape and save themselves whilst potentially warning other fish.
This clever escape strategy allows the fish to escape while their predator is left baffled about what just happened.
While these are some of the main reasons why fish jump out of the water, there are plenty of other reasons why it might happen. From thermoregulation and migration to having fun with their fish friends, a fish often feels the need to leap out of the water.
So, next time you witness this behaviour, you will know a few reasons why and how it is happening.
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