Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES
Tetrapturuspfluegeri
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes
only.
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
section 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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission'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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