Sailfish, Beautiful and Powerful, Fastest in the Ocean

Sailfish are found in all the oceans of the world with two main subspecies: Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. For record purposes the IGFA lists them separately.

Characteristics

They are easily recognized by their large dorsal fins and that’s where they got their name. Their large dorsal fins when fully stretched can easily double their body-wide. These fins are dark-blue in color with many dark spots sprinkling all over and stretching almost the entire length of the body. The upper part of the body is metallic blue while the lower body is silvery white. The body has rows of pale spots running vertically. These spots faded off when the fish is dead. The pectoral fins are long reaching almost the anus. The tail of a sailfish is deeply forked.

Another outstanding feature of this fish is the elongated bill which stretches from the upper jaw. The spear-like bill is long, hard and sharp, sometimes used as a weapon against other prey.

They are the fastest fish in the ocean, clocking a speed of 68 mph or 110 km/h for short distances.

Females can produce as many as 4-5 million eggs. The eggs are shed and float in the open water. But only a small percentage of the young survive. Each of the fry can grow very fast, reaching 4-5 ft a year. Sailfish can grow to a length of 10-12 ft and weigh up to 220 lbs. The average lifespan is about 4 years.

Diet

They feed voraciously on the surface or mid-water on squid, anchovy, mullet, mackerel and other small fish.

They are members of the billfish family. A migratory species they tend to travel in small loose schools. They are usually found in offshore waters, but sometimes they are even found in coastal waters.

They are sport-fishermen’s dream fish on light tackle. When hooked they will perform spectacular acrobatic jumps with powerful head shaking to get rid of the hook.

Sailfish are exciting fish, combined with beauty and power. They’re not good table fare. Often they’re caught, tag and release because their meats are tough and tasteless.

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