Description: Color dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white underbelly; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; first dorsal greatly enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black spots; its front squared off, highest at its midpoint; pelvic fins very narrow, reaching almost to the anus; body covered with imbedded scales, blunt at end; lateral line curved over pectoral; then straight to base of tail.

Similar fish: White marlin, T. albidus, young Blue marlin M.nigricans (spectacular sail-like dorsal of sailfish is the most notable difference).

Where found: Offshore species, in south Florida associated with waters near the Gulf Stream; off the Panhandle near the 100-fathom line.

Size: Common to 7 feet.

Remarks: Rapid growing species, reaching 4 to5 feet in a single year; swims at speeds up to 50 knots; feeds on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid.