The Sailfish Is Considered The Fastest Fish In The Sea And Can Reach Up To 220 Pounds In Adulthood
There are plenty of fish in the sea, but which one is the fastest? The sailfish is considered the fastest fish in the ocean. Known for its impressive size, speed, and agility, the sailfish has never failed to capture the attention of scientists and nature lovers alike. Here is a closer look at the sailfish.
Sailfish are a type of billfish, which is a predatory species of fish that includes swordfish, spearfish, and marlin. The most notable features of billfish are their pointed bills and striking dorsal fins, although none are as extraordinary as the sailfish’s.
The sailfish lives in the warm, tropical waters of oceans around the world. They are often fished in the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and the southeast United States.
Sailfish start out small, measuring only a few millimeters in length, but they grow quickly during their first year of life. They can reach up to ten feet long and weigh 220 pounds in adulthood.
Despite their large size, they can race through the water at astounding speeds, swimming as fast as 70 miles per hour, making them the swiftest fish in the ocean.
As for their dorsal fins, those can stretch taller than the length of their bodies. Researchers have also found that sailfish can deploy and retract their fins to speed up or slow down at their will. Their fins are usually of a black and blue hue but can change color in periods of high activity or excitement.
Sailfish prefer to stay close to the surface of the water when hunting for prey. They eat large, bony fish, squid, and crustaceans, working together in groups to use their long, spear-like bills to stab and slash their prey.
Sailfish may be at the top of the food chain due to their remarkable size, but they still have a few predators they need to watch out for, such as sharks and orcas.
In recreational fishing, sailfish are popular targets, and most are catch-and-release by law. Recreational fishermen are also required to use special gear to minimize injury to the sailfish. Sailfish are allowed to be kept only if the fisherman has a permit and if the catch is at least 5.25 feet long.
Photo 79902001 © Michael Valos – Dreamstime.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual animal
Due to the toughness of their meat, sailfish have little value in the commercial fishing industry. However, commercial fishing is still the most major threat to their population. They are often caught alongside tuna and other fish.
It is illegal to fish for them commercially in the Atlantic Ocean. The National Marine Fisheries Service carries out conservation efforts in the United States. Commercial ships in the U.S. are prohibited from selling, keeping, or purchasing sailfish, as well as other Atlantic billfish species.
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