Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Longbill Spearfish



Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES Tetrapturus pfluegeri

Description: Color of body dark blue shading to silvery, white underneath; dorsal fin bluish, others brown-black; two dorsal fins, the first lengthy, its front forming a peak; two anal fins, the anus well in front of the first; upper jaw prolonged into spear, its cross secttion round.
Similar Fish: white marlin, Tetrapterus albidus.
Where found: OFFSHORE in deep water.
Size: relatively small species.
*Florida Record: 61 lbs.
Remarks: uncommon; available data indicate that spearfish matures at 2 years of age and rarely lives past 4 to 5 years; they are pelagic and feed at or near the surface, mainly on fishes and squid; named for Al Pflueger, Sr., founder of Pflueger Taxidermy.
* The Florida records quoted are from the Department of Environmental Protection's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.

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