A blue-grey billfish of the open ocean, named for the huge dorsal fin that runs almost the whole length of its back. It grows fast, reaching 1.2–1.5 m in its first year, and hunts schools of small fish by slashing and tapping them with its bill.
Quick answers
What is it?Fish
Carnivore?Yes
Dangerous?Can be
Usually no threat, but sailfish have attacked in self-defence: one stabbed a woman with its bill when her party tried to catch it.
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Daytime
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?Yes
A hard-fighting game fish, but less valued than marlin and usually released.
At a glance
Found inOceans
HabitatOpen ocean
ColoursBlue, Silver
SizeHuge
LengthRarely over 3 m
WeightRarely over 90 kg
LegsNone
Covered inScales
Lives ingroups
Lives for4–15 years
Can swim
Lays eggs
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Open water in all the world's oceans.
- What it eats
- Small schooling fish and squid, near the surface or at middle depths.
Did you know
Once credited with 125 km/h, it has since been measured at no more than 35–55 km/h.
Only about 24% of its attacks catch a fish, but the injured fish are easier for the next sailfish.
It may change colour to confuse prey or signal to other sailfish.
Often confused with
On these lists
Sources
Last reviewed
Play
Could you have guessed it?
A photo, a few hints, one guess. Same 438 animals.
