Atlantic Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Least Concern Saltwater

Maximale Länge

340,0 cm

Maximales Gewicht

100,0 kg

Färbung

Dark cobalt-blue back and upper …

Tiefenbereich

0-200m

Familie

Istiophoridae

Kategorie

Sport Fish

Overview

Widely regarded as the fastest fish in the ocean, the sailfish has been credited with bursts approaching 110 kilometres per hour across warm surface waters. Its defining feature is an enormous cobalt-blue dorsal fin, spotted with black and raised like a sail to corral schooling baitfish, which cooperating fish herd before striking. Reaching 3.4 metres, it ranges through the tropical and subtropical Atlantic, from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to the West African coast, near warm thermocline boundaries. When hooked it tail-walks spectacularly across the surface, a display that makes it a premier billfish for sport anglers, who almost always release it. Edible when smoked or grilled but rarely targeted for food, the species is assessed as Least Concern.

Über

The sailfish is the fastest fish in the ocean, reaching speeds up to 110 km/h. Its enormous dorsal fin, or 'sail,' can be raised to herd baitfish. When hooked, it performs spectacular tail-walking displays across the water surface.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	340,0 cm
Maximum Weight	100,0 kg
Tiefenbereich	0-200m

Coloration

Dark cobalt-blue back and upper flanks with silver-white belly; iconic tall sail-like dorsal fin is cobalt-blue adorned with small round black spots; flanks show faint pale iridescent vertical bars when excited.

Habitat & Distribution

Neritic, pelagic, coral reefs

Wassertyp

Saltwater

Tiefenbereich

0-200m

Verbreitungsgebiet

Tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and the West African coast; closely related forms occur throughout the Indo-Pacific. Prefers warm surface waters near thermocline boundaries.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Atlantic Sailfish is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Speisefisch & Küche

Geschmack

Firm, mildly flavored flesh similar to marlin; primarily a catch-and-release sport fish. Edible when smoked or grilled but rarely targeted for food; sport anglers typically release it.

Angelinformationen

Sportfisch

Kampfbewertung

9/5

Empfohlener Köder

ballyhoo, strip baits, flies, live bait

Taxonomy

Ordnung	Istiophoriformes (Marlins and swordfish)
Familie	Istiophoridae (Marlins and sailfish)
Arten	Istiophorus platypterus

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
French	Voilier indo-pacifique
Spanish	Pez vela del Indo-Pacífico

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Can you eat Atlantic Sailfish?

Firm, mildly flavored flesh similar to marlin; primarily a catch-and-release sport fish. Edible when smoked or grilled but rarely targeted for food; sport anglers typically release it.

How big does Atlantic Sailfish get?

Atlantic Sailfish can grow up to 340.0 cm long and weigh 100.0 kg.

Where is Atlantic Sailfish found?

Is Atlantic Sailfish endangered?

The conservation status of Atlantic Sailfish is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Atlantic Sailfish belong to?

Atlantic Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) belongs to the family Istiophoridae (Marlins and sailfish) in the order Istiophoriformes (Marlins and swordfish).