Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

The Sailfish has a huge, sail-like dorsal fin that sometimes sticks out of the water as it glides along near the ocean surface. This fin can be as much as two times as high as the Sailfish's body. As a member of the billfish family, the Sailfish has a long snout that extends into an even longer spikelike "bill." Billfishes are strong, elongate, compressed game fishes that will fight for hours if caught by an offshore angler. The Sailfish is shaded dark blue above with rows of pale blue spots. Its belly is almost white.

Look For : A slender, long billfish with a sail-like dorsal fin and a sharp, pointed snout.

Length : 8'.

Habitat : Warm open ocean waters; near surface.

Range : In Atlantic from Rhode Island to Brazil. In Pacific from San Diego, California, to Chile.