Longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) fish species and information / pictures of Longbill spearfish - Tetrapturus pfluegeri

Longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) fish species information

Scientific Name
Tetrapturus pfluegeri

Common Name
Longbill spearfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 50-57; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 18 - 21; Vertebrae: 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.

Classification

Classified By
Robins & de Sylva, 1963
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Billfishes (Istiophoridae)

Distribution

Region
Atlantic Ocean
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).
Range
44°N - 33°S, 98°W - 17°E

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
200 m
Zone
pelagic-oceanic
Environment
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 200 m (Ref. 43), usually 100 - ? m (Ref. 4770)
Trophic Level
4.28 s.e. 0.65 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
254 cm
Common Length
165 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5161 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (50 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=2-4)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated