Common names from other countries
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Carangiformes (Jacks) >
Istiophoridae (Billfishes)
Etymology: Tetrapturus: Greek, tetra = four + Greek, pteron, fin, wing (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Albert Pflueger Sr. (d: 1962) was a taxidermist based in Miami who invented a new method of mounting fish specimens, especially large ‘sport’ specimens like tarpon and sailfish. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on authors: Robins, de & Sylva.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecologia
marino; oceanodromo (Ref. 51243); distribuzione batimetrica 0 - 200 m (Ref. 43), usually 100 - ? m (Ref. 4770). Subtropical; 44°N - 33°S, 98°W - 17°E (Ref. 43)
Atlantic Ocean: widely distributed in offshore waters, much more densely so in the western than in the eastern Atlantic. Highly migratory species.
Size / Peso / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 254 cm FL maschio/sesso non determinato; (Ref. 40637); common length : 165 cm OT maschio/sesso non determinato; (Ref. 43); peso massimo pubblicato: 58.0 kg (Ref. 40637)
Spine dorsali (totale) : 0; Raggi dorsali molli (totale) : 50 - 57; Spine anali: 0; Raggi anali molli: 18 - 21; Vertebre: 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.
Oceanic species, chiefly found in offshore waters, usually above the thermocline. Feed mainly on pelagic fishes and squids (Ref. 4770). Females probably spawn once a year (Ref. 4770). Marketed frozen.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturità | Riproduzione | Deposizione | Uova | Fecundity | Larve
Maturation seems to occur at the same time rather than in the same season both in the northern and southern hemisphere, which could be suggestive of homogeneity of the population of this species. Females probably spawn once a year (Ref. 4770).
Nakamura, I., 1985. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 5. Billfishes of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(5):65p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 43)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
CITES (Ref. 131153)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Pesca: scarso interesse commerciale; Pesce da pesca sportiva: si
Strumenti
Special reports
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
115969): 14.1 - 23.7, mean 18.2 (based on 140 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5630 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00447 (0.00195 - 0.01025), b=3.14 (2.94 - 3.34), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.4 ±0.4 se; based on diet studies.
Resilienza (Ref.
120179): Medio, tempo minimo di raddoppiamento della popolazione 1.4 - 4.4 anni (Assuming tm=2-4).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Very high vulnerability (90 of 100).
Climate Vulnerability (Ref.
125649): High to very high vulnerability (65 of 100).