| Family: |
Istiophoridae (Billfishes) |
| Max. size: |
254 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 58 kg |
| Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 200 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Atlantic Ocean: widely distributed in offshore waters, much more densely so in the western than in the eastern Atlantic. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 50-57; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-21; Vertebrae: 24-24. Blue-black above, silvery white splattered with brown on the sides, silvery white below; dorsal fins dark blue; pectorals blackish brown, occasionally with tinges of greyish white; pelvic fins blue-black with a black fin membrane; 1st anal fin dark blue with silvery white at base; 2nd anal fin blackish brown. |
| Biology: |
Oceanic species, chiefly found in offshore waters, usually above the thermocline. Feed mainly on pelagic fishes and squids (Ref. 4770). Females probably spawn once a year (Ref. 4770). Marketed frozen. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 September 2010 Ref. (124695)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
|
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
Page created by Jen, 05.08.02,
php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,
last modified by
sortiz, 10/02/17
