Indo-Pacific sailfish
📖 Overview
Oceanic and epipelagic species usually found above the thermocline. Most densely distributed in waters close to coasts and islands . Most likely schools by size. Undergoes spawning migrations in the Pacific. Feeds mainly on fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods. Caught mainly with longlines, set nets, and sometimes by trolling and harpooning from boats . Utilized fresh, smoked and frozen; also used for sashimi and sushi; eaten broiled and baked .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 47 - 53; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 12 - 15. This species is distinguished by the following characters: slender elongate and fairly compressed with a high, sail-like first dorsal fin; upper jaw prolonged into a very long beak, slender and round in cross-section; jaws and palatines with villiform teeth; no gill rakers; two dorsal fins, the first very large (42-49 rays) the second small (6-7 rays); pectoral fins 18-20 rays; pelvic fins I, 2 soft rays fused together, very long and narrow, depressible into a groove; caudal peduncle with double keels on each side; body covered with small, embedded scales with 1 or 2 blunt points. Colour of back dark with about 20 bluish vertical bars; belly pale silver; membrane of first dorsal fin blue- black with numerous dark spots; bases of first and second anal fins often tinged with silvery white; remaining fins blackish brown or dark blue .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Indo-Pacific sailfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Indo-Pacific sailfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Seems to spawn throughout the year in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific with peak spawning occurring in the respective local summer seasons. Spawning occurs with males and females swimming in pairs or with two or three males chasing a single female (probably a mating behavior). The ripe ovarian eggs are about 0.85 mm in diameter and have a single oil globule; there are no structures on the vitalize membrane and the egg is transparent. Eggs shed from captured female in the Indian Ocean averaged 1.304 mm in diameter.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 200 m , usually 30 - ? m . Subtropical; 50°N - 43°S, 180°W - 180°E Indian Ocean and 35°S in eastern Indian Ocean.
🌿 Ecology
fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Indo-Pacific sailfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 209 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Indo-Pacific sailfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Atlantic sailfish · Bayonet-fish · Indo-Pacific sailfish · Pacific Sailfish · Sailfish · bayonet fish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | سمك الشراع الهندي باسيفيكي |
| 🌍CES | plachetník širokoploutvý |
| 🌍CYM | Pysgod Hwyliog · pysgodyn hwyliog |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Pacifisk sejlfisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Fächerfisch · Indopazifischer Fächerfisch |
| 🌍FIJ | saku vorowaqa |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Atlantinpurjekala · Purjekala |
| 🇫🇷French | Empereur l'éventail · Empereur Éventail · Empereur éventail, Voilier · Espadon Voilier · Poisson-voilier · Voilier · Voilier de I'Indo-Pacifique · Voilier de l'Atlantique · Voilier indo-pacifique · Voilier, Voilier de I'Indo-Pacifique, Voilier indo-pacifique, Bécasse de mer, Espadon voilier |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce vela · Pesce vela Indo-Pacifico · Pesce vela atlantico |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Bashokajiki · バショウカジキ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 대서양돛새치 · 돛새치 · 태평양돛새치 |
| 🌍MAR | तदमासा |
| 🌍MLG | Vovorontsatra |
| 🌍MSA | Rayan |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Atlantische zeilvis · Indopacifische zeilvis · Pacifische zeilvis |
| 🇳🇴Norwegian | Seilfisk |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Zaglica · Żaglica Pacyficzna |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Agulhão · Agulhão-bandeira · Peixe-vela · Peixe-vela-do-Atlântico · Peixe-vela-do-Pacífico |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Атлантический парусник · Индо-тихоокеанский парусник |
| 🌍SIN | තලපත් |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez Velo · Pez vela del Atlántico · Pez vela del Indo-Pacífico · Pez vela del Pacífico · Picudo Banderón · aguja de abanico · pez vela |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Segelfisk |
| 🌍TAH | ha'urepe |
| 🌍THA | ปลากระโทงร่ม |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 雨傘旗魚 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 44 records indexed .
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