Read the article with FishingTheSpot: the sailfish
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See the fishing tripsThe Sailfish
All year round
160 cm
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The Sailfish belongs to the Istiophoridae family. The maximum size of the sailfish is 340 cm in total length and about 100 kg. The average life span of 4 years. Spawning usually takes place in summer. It can be fished all year round.
The upper jaw is modified into a long beak with a circular cross-section. The upper jaw is about twice the length of the lower jaw. Two dorsal and anal fins are present. The first dorsal fin is large, much higher than the width of the body. This large fin extends almost the entire length of the body, the longest radius being the 20th. The first anal fin is very far from the body. The second dorsal and anal fins are approximately similar in size and shape. Both are short and concave. The pectoral and pelvic fins are long. Pelvic fins are almost twice as long and almost reach the origin of the first anal fin. Pelvic fins have a spinal column and several fused soft rays. A pair of grooves extend along the ventral surface of the body into which the pelvic fins can be inserted. The caudal peduncle has double pins and caudal notches on the upper and lower surfaces. The lateral line is easily visible. The body color varies according to the level of excitement. The body is dark blue on the back and white with brown spots on the belly. About 20 bars, each composed of many light blue dots, are present on each side. The fins are generally blackish blue. The base of the anal fin is white. The first dorsal fin contains many small black spots, which are more
The Sailfish lifestyle
Its diet consists mainly of Cephalopods (squid and octopus) and bony fish. Its main preys are Mackerel, jacks, tuna, half-becs and needlefish. These prey objects indicate that some feeding occurs at the surface, as well as in the middle of the water, along the edges of the reef or lower substrate.
Females swim slowly in shallow water, with their dorsal fin above the water surface. One or more males will accompany it and breed near the surface. Spawning can also occur in deep waters along the North American coasts and on the continental shelf off the West African coast. Spawning has been observed all year round in the eastern Atlantic, with a peak in summer. A large female can release 4,500,000 eggs during spawning. Sailfish hatch about 0.3 cm (0.125 inches). Larval sailfishes do not have the jawbone characteristic of adults. The head contains many thorns: one above the eye, on the lower lid, and a smaller one between them.
The Sailfish habitat
The sailfish lives in epipelagic and oceanic surface waters. It generally remains above the thermocline in water temperatures between 21 and 28°C. It has been proven that it also swims in deeper waters. It is less oceanic than other sword fish, making frequent incursions into coastal waters.
It can be found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
The Sailfish angling
They can be caught with driftnets, harpoons and dragging.
