Billfish Gallery
Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES
Istiophorus platypterus
Description: color dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white underbelly;
upper jaw elongated in form of spear; first dorsal 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, then straight to base of tail.
Similar Fish: white marlin, Tetrapterus albidus; young blue marlin, Makaira nigricans
(spectacular sail-like dorsal of sailfish is most notable difference).
Where found: OFFSHORE species, in south Florida associated with waters near the Gulf Stream;
off the Panhandle near the 100 foot fathom line.
Size: common to 7 feet.
*Florida Record: 116 lbs.
Remarks: rapid growing species, reaching 4 to 5 feet in a single year;
swims at speeds up to 50 knots; feeds on the surface or at mid-depths on
smaller pelagic fishes and squid.
* The Florida records quoted are from the Department of Environmental Protection's printed publication,
Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.
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