Sailfish
sailfish
(also called ‘spike fish’, ‘spindle-beak’, ‘spindle-snoot’, ‘mylmeen’ (mostly in USA))
a kind of fish – finned and bony sea fish – a streamlined body in blue or grey with spear-shaped (long beak-like) upper jaw, sharp teeth, and the fin on the back grown large and spread out like a sail on a boat, two long spine-like growth from the bottom fin near the head, wide V shaped tail; size: 5-10 feet long, and weight: 50-100 kg; feeds on small fish that swim in schools (groups), such as sardines, mackerel, etc., and other sea animals, such as squid, octopus, etc; live for, on average, 5 years, but some live up to 10 years; two sub-species – Atlantic sailfish and Indo-Pacific sailfish, found in tropical and temperate waters of Pacific and Indian Ocean
[A group of sailfish is called a ‘school’.]
Special Features:
The ‘Atlantic sailfish’ is the state saltwater fish of Florida, USA.
The sailfish is the fastest fish in the world – with a record speed of 110 Km/h (68 mph)!
The two obvious features of the sailfish are the fin on the back which grows along the back that looks like a sail on a boat which can be spread and folded at will, and the long spear-like (beak-like) upper jaw that looks like the sword of a swordfish!
Another less obvious feature is the two very long spikes that grow from the under-side just behind the lower jaw.
Though they are not a popular food fish, the sailfish are a popular game fish – fished for fun or to keep as trophies!
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Mr. Kumar, an English language teacher, having taught in many countries around the world including Ethiopia and Oman shares this English Language Reference website using material that he has written and compiled during the past 20 years.
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