Longbill spearfish
Species of ray-finned fish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) is a species of marlin native to the Atlantic Ocean where it is found above the thermocline in open waters between 40°N and 35°S.[1] This species can reach a length of 254 centimetres (100 in) FL and the maximum weight recorded is 58 kilograms (128 lb).[2] It feeds on pelagic fishes such as needlefish, tuna, and jack, as well as squids. They spawn once a year. The specific name honours the Florida game fisherman and taxidermist Albert Pflueger Sr, who died in 1962.[3]
| Longbill spearfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Division: | Teleostei |
| Order: | Carangiformes |
| Family: | Istiophoridae |
| Genus: | Tetrapturus |
| Species: | T. pfluegeri |
| Binomial name | |
| Tetrapturus pfluegeri C. R. Robins & de Sylva, 1963 | |
Description
The longbill spearfish is a blueish black color from above, and silvery-white and brown on the sides. The pectorals are blackish-brown and the dorsal fins are dark blue.