Sailfish

:"This article is about the fish. For the submarines, see "USS" Sailfish.Taxobox
name = Sailfishes
fossil_range = fossilrange|14|0Middle Miocene to Present [cite journal
last = Sepkoski
first = Jack
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = A compendium of fossil marine animal genera
journal = Bulletins of American Paleontology
volume = 364
issue =
pages = p.560
publisher =
location =
date = 2002
url = http://strata.ummp.lsa.umich.edu/jack/showgenera.php?taxon=611&rank=class
doi =
id =
accessdate = 2008-01-08 ]


image_caption = Indo-Pacific sailfish, "Istiophorus platypterus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Perciformes
familia = Istiophoridae
genus = "Istiophorus"
genus_authority = Lacépède, 1801
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "2, see text"

Sailfish are two species of fishes in the genus "Istiophorus", living in warmer sections of all the oceans of the world. They are blue to gray in color and have a characteristic erectile dorsal fin known as a sail, which often stretches the entire length of the back. Another notable characteristic is the elongated bill, resembling that of the swordfish and other marlins.

Both species of sailfishes grow quickly, reaching 1.2-1.5 m (4-5 ft) in length in a single year, and feed on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid. Individuals have been clocked at speeds of up to 110 km/h (68 mph), which is the highest speed reliably reported in a fish. [ [http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/topics/r_haulin'_bass.htm Haulin' Bass] - elasmo-research.org. Accessed March 19, 2008] Generally, sailfish do not grow to more than 3 m (10 ft) in length and rarely weigh over 90 kg (200 lb), although larger specimens have been seen off the shores of Costa Rica.Fact|date=March 2008

The sail is normally kept folded down and to the side when swimming, but it may be raised when the sailfish feels threatened or excited, making the fish appear much larger than it actually is. This tactic has also been observed during feeding, when a group of sailfish use their sails to "herd" a school of fish or squid.

Sailfish are highly prized game fish and are known for their incredible jumps.

pecies

* Atlantic sailfish ("Istiophorus albicans").
* Indo-Pacific sailfish ("Istiophorus platypterus").

References

*

External links

* [http://www.islandb.com/gallery/sailfishg-sport-fishing-pictures Sailfish Pictures]
* [http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/sailfish/nicklen-photography Images from National Geographic]