In the tropics, flyingfish shoot out of the ocean and glide up to a hundred yards on their winglike fins to escape predators. Yet despite their prevalence and their vital role in the food chain, we know surprisingly little about them; some 60 species are said to exist, but that number is far from certain, and most illustrations of specimens look nothing like these fish in life. Steve Howell has spent hundreds of hours photographing flyingfish, capturing their often spectacular wing patterns and coloration. His compact guide offers 90 photos of these striking creatures, accompanied by his observations and a natural history of flyingfish.