Mediterranean spearfish (Tetrapturus belone) fish species and information / pictures of Mediterranean spearfish - Tetrapturus belone

Mediterranean spearfish (Tetrapturus belone) fish species information

Scientific Name
Tetrapturus belone

Common Name
Mediterranean spearfish

Biology
This species is the most common istiophorid in the central basin of the Mediterranean and completes its life cycle inside this sea as far as is known to date. Probably swims in the upper 200 m water layer, generally above or within the thermocline. Travels in pairs, possibly corresponding to a feeding behavior. Feeds on fishes. Probably more widespread in the Mediterranean Sea and may have been identified as T. albidus by anglers and fishermen.

Classification

Classified By
Rafinesque, 1810
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Billfishes (Istiophoridae)

Distribution

Region
Mediterranean Sea
Distribution
Mediterranean Sea: considerably abundant around Italy. No confirmed report from the Black Sea. No adults have been reported east of the Ionean Sea. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139). Reportedly caught from the Aegean Sea (Pennetti, pers. comm.).
Range
46°N - 32°N, 6°W - 36°E

Environment

Climate
Deep-water
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)
Trophic Level
4.5 s.e. 0.80 Based on food items.
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
240 cm
Common Length
200 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
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (47 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming tmax>10)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated