Tetrapturus pfluegeri Robins & de Sylva, 1963
Longbill spearfish
Tetrapturus pfluegeri
photo by Fishpics

 Family:  Istiophoridae (Billfishes)
 Max. size:  254 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 58 kg
 Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; depth range 0 - 200 m, oceanodromous
 Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: widely distributed in offshore waters, much more densely so in the western than in the eastern Atlantic. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 50-57; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-21; Vertebrae: 24-24. 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.
 Biology:  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.
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Luna, Susan M. - 17.10.90
 Modified by: Kesner-Reyes, Kathleen - 10.09.08
 Checked by: Torres, Armi G. - 14.03.94

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Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10