Sailfish

:Note that two American submarines were named USS Sailfish.

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Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) are fish living in the Atlantic Ocean. They are blue to gray in color and have a characteristic sail (dorsal fin) on top of them, often stretching the entire length of their back.

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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.

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Similar fish: white marlin, Tetrapterus albidus; juvenile blue marlin, Makaira nigricans (spectacular sail-like dorsal of sailfish is most notable difference).

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Where found: Offshore species, in south Florida associated with waters near the Gulf Stream; off the Panhandle about 100 feet (30 m) deep.

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Size: common to 7 feet (2.1 m).

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• Florida Record: 116 lbs. (52.6 kg).

Remarks: rapid growing species, reaching 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m) in a single year; swims at speeds up to 50 knots (93 km/h); feeds on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid.

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They are the fastest fish in the ocean.

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Sailfish: Source ►



 

Atlantic Ocean: The Atlantic Ocean is Earth's second-largest ocean, covering approximately one-fifth of its surface. The ocean's name, derived from Greek mythology, means the "Sea of Atlas"....

Dorsal fin: Dorsal Fin of the Orca...

Florida: Florida is a Southern state in the United States. It is known as the Sunshine State. "Florida" is a Spanish adjective which means "flowery." It was discovered by Spanish explorers during the Easter season, which is called Pascua Florida in Spanish. The U.S. Postal abbreviation is FL....