Tetrapturus angustirostris

Osteichthyes Istiophoridae Tetrapturus angustirostris
Shortbill spearfish SSP
~159 cm LJFL. Source: ©J. Pepperell, taken in New South Wales, Australia.
Characteristic features:
Colour:

Upper surfaces dark blue with patches of brown, silvery white below. First dorsal fin dark blue, other fins brown to dark brown, anal-fin bases with tinges of white. Colours fading after death.

Size:

Up to 250 cm TL (210 cm FL) and up to 52 kg in weight.

Distribution:

Circumglobal in tropical and temperate waters.

Habitat:

Epi- and mesopelagic, oceanic, from the surface to at least 1,830 m depth.

Biology:

Feeds primarily on fish, but also cephalopods and crustaceans. This species is widespread but seldom seen. Spawning is believed to occur mainly during the winter months, especially in offshore currents of about 25°C. Females are usually larger than males. No information on maturity or longevity is available.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught primarily by surface trolling.

Similar species:

Istiompax indica
Black marlin

Istiompax indica

Istiompax indica differs in having a bill considerably longer than the lower jaw (vs. slightly longer); an anus located slightly forward of first anal fin by a distance less than length of first anal-fin base (vs. an anus well forward of first anal fin by a distance greater than length of first anal-fin base); a nape steep (vs. low to flat) and the anterior part of the first dorsal fin higher than maximum body depth (vs. lower than maximum body depth).

to Istiompax indica

Istiophorus platypterus
Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Istiophorus platypterus differs in having a bill considerably longer than the lower jaw (vs. slightly longer); first dorsal fin sail-like, tallest at mid-fin (vs. height of anterior portion of first dorsal fin about equal to body depth, posterior portion lower than body depth) and pelvic fins very long, almost reaching to anus (vs. moderate in length, but not reaching to anus).

to Istiophorus platypterus

Kajikia audax
Striped marlin

Kajikia audax

Kajikia audax differs in having a bill considerably longer than the lower jaw (vs. slightly longer); an anus located slightly forward of first anal fin by a distance less than length of first anal-fin base (vs. an anus well anterior of first anal fin by a distance greater than length of first anal-fin base) and a nape steep (vs. low and flat).

to Kajikia audax

Xiphias gladius
Broadbill swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Xiphias gladius differs in having a bill that is flat-oval in cross section (vs. round); pelvic fins absent (vs. present); 1 median keel on caudal peduncle (vs. 2 keels) and a deep notch on both upper and lower profiles on caudal peduncle (vs. shallow notches).

to Xiphias gladius

Makaira nigricans
Blue marlin

Makaira nigricans

Makaira nigricans differs in having a bill considerably longer than the lower jaw (vs. slightly longer); an anus located slightly forward of first anal fin by a distance less than length of first anal-fin base (vs. an anus well anterior of first anal fin by a distance greater than length of first anal-fin base); a nape steep (vs. shallow to flat) and anterior part of dorsal fin higher than maximum body depth (vs. lower, about 2/3 its height).

to Makaira nigricans
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