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.
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