Indo-Pacific sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
Valid name. Some authors merge it with the Atlantic sailfish as a single species, Istiophorus platypterus.
- English
- Indo-Pacific sailfish
- Scientific
- Istiophorus platypterus
- Dhivehi
- ފަންގަނޑު ހިބަރުFangandu hibaru
- Maximum size
- Up to about 3.5 m (including bill) and 100 kg
- Depth and habitat
- Open ocean and near-atoll waters, mostly in the upper 200 m
- IUCN status
- VU · VulnerableVulnerable (VU), assessed 2021
Description
A billfish with a huge, sail-like first dorsal fin that it can raise or fold into a groove, a long spear-like bill and a dark blue back over silvery sides. It is among the fastest fish in the ocean. Groups of sailfish herd sardines and other small fish into tight balls, then slash through them with their bills to injure prey. The sail is raised during hunts and as a display.
In the Maldives
Taken occasionally by Maldivian tuna fishermen and in sport fishing outside the atolls.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Istiophorus-platypterus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ފަންގަނޑު_ހިބަރު
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Istiophorus_platypterus_101956558.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives, Marine Research Section, Malé (FAO/BOBP MAG/21); Thaana from Dhivehi Wikipedia (fish articles derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition).