Examples of fish that jump out of water include African butterflyfish, alligator gar, Asian carp, Atlantic salmon, and betta fish.
Jumping fish are a common sight in many ponds and lakes. While it may seem like they are simply playing, there is actually a very important reason why fish jump out of the water.
When a fish jumps out of the water, it exchanges the oxygen in its lungs for the oxygen in the air. This process, known as gas exchange, allows the fish to get more oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide.
In addition, jumping also helps the fish escape predators or for salmon jumping out of the water helps them get from stream to stream.
Examples of Fish that Jump out Of Water
1. African Butterflyfish
| Scientific Name | Pantodon buchholzi |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | West Africa |
The African butterflyfish is a freshwater fish that is found in Africa. This fish is known for its bright colors and patterns. The African butterflyfish is also known to jump out of the water.
The African butterflyfish jumps out of the water in order to escape predators.
Related Article: 39 Fish that Are Endangered
2. Alligator Gar
| Scientific Name | Atractosteus spatula |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | lower Mississippi River Valley, from Oklahoma to the west, Arkansas to the north, Texas and portions of Mexico to the south, and east to Florida |
The alligator gar is a large fish that can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 200 pounds. These fish are found in slow-moving rivers and bayous in the southeastern United States.
Alligator gars get their name from their long snouts, which resemble those of alligators.
Related Article: 19 Fish that Breathe Air
3. Asian Carp
| Scientific Name | Cyprinus carpio |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | The Mississippi River and its tributaries, and have been found as far north as Minnesota |
Asian carp are a type of fish that is known for their ability to jump out of the water. In fact, these fish can leap up to 10 feet (3 meters) in the air Asian carp are native to China and Russia, but they have been introduced to North America.
Related Article: 29 Fish that Live in Coral Reefs
4. Atlantic Salmon
| Scientific Name | Salmo salar |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | North America, Iceland, Greenland, Europe, and Russia |
One of the most well-known fish that commonly jumps out of water is the Atlantic salmon. These fish are known to jump out of rivers and streams in order to get from one body of water to another.
Related Article: 35 Fish that Live in Lakes
5. Betta fish
| Scientific Name | Betta splendens |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia |
While bettas are often kept as pets, they can also be found in the wild. In the wild, bettas typically live in shallow, stagnant waters. Due to the fact that bettas live in such dirty water, they have evolved to be able to breathe from the air as well as from the water.
When a betta fish jumps out of the water, it is able to get a fresh supply of oxygen from the air.
Related Article: 10 Fish Adaptations
6. Blue Marlin
| Scientific Name | Makaira nigricans |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | throughout tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans |
The blue marlin is one of the largest, fastest, and most impressive fish in the ocean. It can grow to be 14 feet long and weigh up to 2000 pounds. The blue marlin is known for its beautiful blue color and its long, sharp bill. This fish is a great jumper and can leap out of the water to escape predators or to catch its prey.
7. Bluefin Tuna
| Scientific Name | Thunnus thynnus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | throughout the North Atlantic Ocean |
Bluefin tuna is a large and powerful fish that can grow up to 15 feet long and weigh over 1,500 pounds. These amazing creatures are built for speed and can swim up to 60 miles per hour. They are also very strong jumpers and have been known to leap out of the water up to 10 feet in the air.
8. Brook Trout
| Scientific Name | Salvelinus fontinalis |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | eastern North America, from the Great Lakes east to the Atlantic Ocean, and down the Appalachian Mountains as far south as Georgia |
Brook trout are a type of freshwater fish that is native to North America. Brook trout can be found in streams, rivers, and lakes. They prefer cold water with lots of oxygen. Brook trout are known for their dark spots and their orange-red belly.
9. Brown Trout
| Scientific Name | Salmo trutta |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Iceland, Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa |
Brown trout are a species of freshwater fish that are closely related to salmon. They can be found in streams, rivers, and lakes all over the world. One of the most notable things about brown trout is their ability to jump out of the water.
10. Chinook Salmon
| Scientific Name | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Monterey Bay area of California to the Chukchi Sea area of Alaska |
Chinook salmon jump out of the water for a few different reasons. One reason is to escape predators. Another reason is to get from one stream to another. And finally, Chinook salmon jump out of the water to help them spawning grounds. When it’s time to spawn, Chinook salmon will return to the same stream where they were born.
11. Coho Salmon
| Scientific Name | Oncorhynchus kisutch |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | throughout the North Pacific Ocean and in most coastal streams and rivers from Alaska to central California |
Coho salmon are a species of fish that are known for their impressive jumping abilities. These fish can jump up to six feet out of the water in order to escape predators or to get from one stream to another.
12. Comet Goldfish
| Scientific Name | Carassius auratus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | cool, slow-moving rivers throughout Asia |
Comet goldfish are a type of goldfish that is known for their long, slender body and tail. Comet goldfish are also known for their ability to jump out of the water. While this may seem like a playful behavior, there is actually an important reason why comet goldfish jump out of the water.
When a comet goldfish jumps out of the water it might be because of all of the extra energy, or it could be because they’re desperately trying to cool down due to the rising water temperature.
13. Dolphins
| Scientific Name | Cetacea |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Most dolphins are marine and live in the ocean or brackish waters along coastlines |
Dolphins are perhaps the most well-known jumpers of the animal kingdom. These intelligent and playful creatures are often seen breaching the surface of the water, launching themselves high into the air before falling back down with a splash. Dolphins jump for a variety of reasons, including to communicate, to escape predators, and simply for fun.
Related Article: 10 Dolphin Adaptations
14. Dorado
| Scientific Name | Coryphaena hippurus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | most commonly found in the waters around the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the Indian Ocean |
Dorado, also known as mahi-mahi, is a type of fish that is known for its impressive jumping abilities. When they jump out of the water, they exchange the oxygen in their lungs for the oxygen in the air. This process, known as gas exchange, allows the dorado to get more oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. In addition, jumping also helps the dorado escape predators.
15. Goldfish
| Scientific Name | Carassius auratus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | in slow-moving, freshwater bodies of water |
Goldfish are one of the most popular types of fish kept as pets. They are also one of the fish that occasionally jump out of water. The reasons for this behavior can vary, but it is generally believed to be related to stress or a lack of oxygen in the water.
16. Great White Shark
| Scientific Name | Carcharodon carcharias |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | South Africa, Australia/New Zealand, the North Atlantic, and Northeastern Pacific |
One of the most well-known fish that jump out of water is the great white shark. Great whites are known to breach or jump out of the water, in order to catch prey. This type of hunting technique is called “ breaching.”
17. Killifish
| Scientific Name | Fundulus heteroclitus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | worldwide, especially in the tropics of Africa and the New World |
Killifish are small, freshwater fish that are found in Africa, Europe, and North and South America. Many species of killifish live in temporary pools of water that dry up during the hot summer months. When the pools dry up, the killifish must jump out of the water and find another source of water or they will die.
18. Largemouth Bass
| Scientific Name | Micropterus salmoides |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | swamps, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, creeks, and large rivers |
The largemouth bass is a freshwater fish that can be found in North America. It is known for its large mouth, which allows it to eat smaller fish and other aquatic creatures. The largemouth bass is also known for its ability to jump out of the water. When it does this, it uses its large mouth to catch prey.
19. Marbled Hatchet fish
| Scientific Name | Carnegiella strigata |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | marshes, brooks, flooded regions, and small rivers in South America |
The Marbled Hatchet fish is a small, freshwater fish native to South America. It gets its name from the marbled patterns on its body and the sharp, hatchet-like appendage on its head. The Marbled Hatchet fish is an excellent jumper and is known for leaping out of the water to catch insects in mid-air.
20. Mullet Fish
| Scientific Name | Mugilidae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | throughout coastal tropical to warm temperate waters |
Mullet fish jump out of water for two reasons, to escape predators and to find food. When a mullet is being chased by a predator, it will jump out of the water and land on the shore or in vegetation. This confuses the predator and gives the mullet a chance to escape. Mullets also jump out of the water to catch flying insects.
21. Muskellunge
| Scientific Name | Esox masquinongy |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | from northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, and northern Minnesota through the Great Lakes region |
The muskellunge is a fish that is known for its impressive jumping abilities. This fish can jump out of the water to catch prey or avoid predators. Muskellunge are found in freshwater lakes and rivers in North America.
22. Northern Pike
| Scientific Name | Esox lucius |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Eurasia and North America, including most of Canada, Alaska |
The northern pike is a voracious predator that stalks its prey in the water before striking with lightning speed. It has been known to jump out of the water to snatch birds in flight.
23. Peacock Bass
| Scientific Name | Cichla cataractae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | tropical South America |
The peacock bass is a freshwater fish that is native to South America. It is a member of the cichlid family and can grow to be about two feet long. The peacock bass is an aggressive predator and will eat just about anything it can fit into its mouth. The fish has been known to jump out of the water to catch prey.
24. Rainbow Trout
| Scientific Name | Oncorhynchus mykiss |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | North Pacific Ocean and associated drainages from the Amur River in eastern Asia, north along the Pacific slope including the KamchatkaPeninsula |
One of the reasons rainbow trout jumps out of water is to catch insects. Rainbow trout are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything that is easy prey. In addition to eating insects, rainbow trout also eat small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
25. Rainbowfish
| Scientific Name | Melanotaeniidae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Australia, Papua New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia |
Rainbowfish are a type of fish that are known for their brightly colored scales. These fish are native to Australia and New Guinea, and they typically live in freshwater habitats. Rainbowfish are known for their ability to jump out of the water, and they often do this in order to catch insects.
26. Red Drum
| Scientific Name | Sciaenops ocellatus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | inshore and offshore waters along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Key West and throughout the Gulf of Mexico |
Red drums are a type of fish that can be found in saltwater habitats along the coast of North and South America. These fish get their name from their reddish-brown coloration, which is most pronounced on the males. Red drums are known for their ability to “jump” out of the water, often clearing several feet into the air. This behavior is thought to be a way for the fish to escape predators, as well as to attract mates.
27. Smallmouth Bass
| Scientific Name | Micropterus dolomieu |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | streams, rivers, and the rocky areas and stumps and also sandy bottoms of lakes and reservoirs |
One of the most popular game fish in North America, the smallmouth bass is known for its aggressive behavior and fight when hooked. They are also one of the few fish that will jump out of the water when they are feeding. Smallmouth bass will often feed on topwater lures, and when they strike, they will sometimes leap completely out of the water.
28. Snook
| Scientific Name | Centropomus undecimalis |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | southern coastal Florida |
Snook are a type of fish that are known for their ability to jump out of the water. They are found in tropical and subtropical climates, and their diet consists mostly of smaller fish. Snook use their jumping ability to escape predators.
29. Steelhead
| Scientific Name | Oncorhynchus mykiss |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | cold-water tributaries of the Pacific basin in Northeast Asia and North America |
Steelhead is a type of trout that can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Steelheads are known for their impressive jumping ability, which they use to escape predators and overcome obstacles in their habitat.
30. Sturgeons
| Scientific Name | Acipenseridae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | in the rivers of southern Russia and Ukraine and in the fresh waters of North America |
As one of the oldest fish species in existence, sturgeons have been around for a long time. Because of this, they’ve had to adapt to changing environments and predators. One way they’ve done this is by becoming really good at jumping out of the water.
31. Tarpon
| Scientific Name | Megalops |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | from Virginia to central Brazil in the western Atlantic, along the coast of Africa in the eastern Atlantic, and all through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea |
The tarpon is a large fish that can grow to over eight feet long and weigh over 280 pounds. Despite their size, they are excellent jumpers and have been known to leap out of the water when hooked. One theory as to why they jump is that it helps them escape predators or break free from fishing lines.
32. Thresher Shark
| Scientific Name | Alopias |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | temperate waters around the world |
The thresher shark is one of the few types of sharks that can leap out of the water. It does this to help it catch prey. The thresher shark’s long tail helps it swim fast and also gives it the power to jump out of the water.
33. Wahoo
| Scientific Name | Acanthocybium solandri |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | tropical and subtropical waters around the world |
The wahoo is a fast-moving, pelagic fish that can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It is one of the few fish that regularly jump out of the water, and it does so for two reasons. First, jumping makes it harder for predators to catch the wahoo. Second, jumping helps the wahoo escape from areas with low oxygen levels or high water temperatures.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why fish jump out of water. Some fish jump to escape predators, while others do it to find food. Some fish even jump for fun.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.