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Family Istiophoridae - Billfishes

Order:

Perciformes

Class:

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

No. of Genera:

No. of Species:

Environment:

Fresh: No Brackish: No Marine: Yes

Aquarium:

none

First Fossil Record:

upper Cretaceous, Ref.: Berg, L.S..1958

Remark:

Distribution: most tropical and subtropical waters. Premaxilla and nasal bones produced, forming a spear-like bill or rostrum with a rounded cross-section. Gill membranes not united to isthmus. Very narrow pelvic fins. Jaw teeth present. Two keels on each side of caudal peduncle in adults. Dorsal fin extending over much of body length; sometimes resembling a sail. Dorsal fin can be depresssed into a groove. Lateral line persists in life. Vertebrae 24. Maximum length 4 m. Bill used for stunning prey fish. The morphological adaptations required for maintaining high brain and retinal temperatures are discussed in Brock et al. 1993 Science 260:210-214. Very popular as game fish.

Etymology:

Greek, istion = sail + Greek, pherein = to carry ( Ref. 45335).

Division:

Marine

Reproductive guild:

nonguarders

Typical activity level:

very active

Main Ref.:

Nelson, J.S..1984

Coordinator:

Show species | Nominal species list for Istiophoridae | Identification keys | CAS specimen photos | References

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