Scientific Name
Istiophorus platypterus
Common Name
Indo-Pacific sailfish
Biology
Dorsal
spines
(total): 0;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 47-53;
Anal
spines: 2;
Anal
soft rays: 12 - 15. Body elongate and compressed; upper jaw prolonged into a very long beak; two dorsal fins, the first very large and tail; pelvic fins narrow but very long, almost reaching anus, with 1 spine and 2 rays; body covered with small, embedded scales with 1 or 2 blunt points; back dark with about 20 bluish vertical bars; belly pale silver; membrane of first dorsal fin blue black with numerous dark spots (Ref. 55763). A slender billfish with a high, sail-like first dorsal fin (Ref. 26938).