Sailfish

This article is about the fish. For the submarines, see USS Sailfish.

Sailfishes Fossil range: Middle Miocene to Present
Indo-Pacific sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Istiophoridae Genus: Istiophorus Lacépède, 1801
Species
2, see text

Sailfish are two species of fishes in the genus Istiophorus, living in warmer sections of all the oceans of the world. They are blue to gray in color and have a characteristic sail (dorsal fin) which often stretches the entire length of the back. Another notable characteristic is the elongated bill, resembling that of the swordfish and other marlins.

Description

Both species of sailfishes grow quickly, reaching 1.2-1.5 m (4-5 ft) in length in a single year, and feed on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid. Individuals have been clocked at speeds of up to 110 km/h (68 mph), which is the highest speed reliably reported in a fish. Generally, sailfish do not grow to more than 3 m (10 ft) in length and rarely weigh over 90 kg (200 lb), although larger specimens have been seen off the shores of Costa Rica.^{[citation needed]}

The sail is normally kept folded down and to the side when swimming, but it may be raised when the sailfish feels threatened or excited, making the fish appear much larger than it actually is. This tactic has also been observed during feeding, when a group of sailfish use their sails to "herd" a school of fish or squid.

Sailfish are highly prized game fish and are known for their incredible jumps.

Species

Atlantic sailfish

(Istiophorus albicans).

Atlantic sailfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Istiophoridae Genus: Istiophorus Lacépède, 1801 Species: I. albicans
Binomial name
Istiophorus albicans (Latreille, 1804)

The Atlantic sailfish, Istiophorus albicans, is a species of marine fish in the family Istiophoridae of the order Perciformes. It is found in the Atlantic Oceans and the Caribbean Sea, except for large areas of the central North Atlantic and the central South Atlantic, from the surface to depths of 200 m.

Length is up to 3.15 m, and the maximum published weight is 58.1 kg.

Indo-Pacific sailfish

(Istiophorus platypterus).

Indo-Pacific sailfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Istiophoridae Genus: Istiophorus Lacépède, 1801 Species: I. platypterus
Binomial name
Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw, 1792)

The Indo-Pacific sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, is a sailfish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white underbelly; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; first dorsal fin greatly enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black spots, its front squared off, highest at its midpoint; pelvic fins very narrow, reaching almost to the anus; body covered with embedded scales, blunt at end; lateral line curved above pectoral fin, then straight to base of tail.they have a large and sharp bill, that they use for hunting. They feed on tuna and mackerel, some of the fastest fish in the Ocean. They are able to prey on the faster fish in the sea because their top speed has been clocked at 68 mph, making them the fastest fish in the ocean.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Istiophorus platypterus (TSN 172488). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 18 April 2006.
• Template:FishBase species

• Istiophorus albicans (TSN 550888). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 6 June 2006.
• Template:FishBase species

• "Istiophorus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. March 2008 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2008.

External links

• Sailfish Pictures

Credits

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