Sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus
Sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus. Fish caught with Captain Javier (“Barco”) Zumaya A, in Panga Miriam I from coastal waters off Point Palmilla, July 2014. Length: 1.85 m (6 feet 1 inch – lower bill to fork). Weight: 29 kg (64 lbs).
Sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus. Underwater photographs courtesy of Marc Montocchio (marcmontocchio.com), Morehead City , NC.
The Sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, is a member of the Billfish or Istiophoridae Family, and is known in Mexico as pez vela. They are one of the smallest members of the family. This is the only species in the genus Istiophorus and it is found in Mexican waters of both the Atlantic and the Pacific, being one of the few fish found in Mexican waters of both oceans. Note: some members of the scientific community believe that the Sailfish found in the Atlantic is a separate species, the Atlantic Sailfish, Istiophorus albicans. The two fish are morphologically the same, although the Pacific species can weigh up to 100 kg (220 lbs) while the Atlantic species achieves a maximum of only 60 kg (132 lbs) in weight. I have elected to treat them as one and the same species.
The Sailfish has an elongated fairly compressed body. They have a long slender bill with a rounded cross section and a high sail-like first dorsal fin that is much larger than the body depth. They are dark silver in color with 20 bluish vertical bars on their sides and transition to pale silver ventrally. The membrane in their first dorsal fin is blue-black with numerous dark spots. Their head has a prolonged upper bill, relatively small eyes, and a mouth equipped with small teeth. Their anal fin has 2 spines and 12 to 25 rays; their first dorsal fin has a long base with 47 to 53 rays; their caudal fin is large and strongly forked; their second dorsal fin is very small and located at the rear; their pectoral fins are long and pointed; and their pelvic fins are very long and almost reach the anal fin; and there are 2 keels on the side of their tail base. Their lateral line is visible and curved over the pectoral fins and is straight toward the tail base. Their body is covered with small triangular scales.
The Sailfish is an oceanic and epipelagic species that is highly migratory but usually found in coastal environments above the thermocline at depths up to 40 m (130 feet). They are known to form small schools comprised of three to thirty individuals. They prefer water temperatures between 21oC (70oF) to 28oC (84oF). They reach a maximum of 3.48 m (11 feet 5 inches) in length. As of January 1, 2023, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 100.24 kg (221 lbs 0 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Ecuador in February 1947. In contrast the same record for a fish from the Atlantic stood at 64.6 kg (142 lbs 6 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Lobito Angola. A Sailfish Weight from Length Conversion Table has been included in this website to allow the accurate determination of fish weight from length so that these fish can be returned to the ocean unharmed (strongly recommended). They feed primarily on fish including halfbeaks, mackerel, and small tuna, crustaceans, and cephalopods and use their bill to spear and stun prey. Reproduction is via pelagic eggs with each female capable of releasing up to 5,000,000 eggs annually. Juveniles are fast growing and seldom seen by humans. They have a lifespan of up to thirteen years.
The Sailfish are widespread and is a resident of all waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans with the exception that they are absent from the northern 20% of the Sea of Cortez.
The Sailfish cannot be confused with any other species due to its enormous dorsal fin.
From a conservation perspective the Sailfish is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable widely distributed populations. The Mexican Government has placed a ban on the catch and sale of Sailfish by commercial fishermen. The Sailfish is caught primarily by artisanal fishermen and as a bycatch of longline and purse seine fisheries. Annual catch rates are on the order of 2,000 metric tons. They are a highly prized targeted big game species, primarily due their phenomenal acrobatic aerial displays. Due to their poor food value they are not of commercial interest and normally a “catch and release.” In some cultures they are utilized on a limited basis for sashimi and sushi, broiled and baked, and sold fresh, smoked, and frozen.