The sailfish is a sleek, fast billfish with a spectacular sail-like dorsal fin. It lives in warm oceans worldwide and is famous for its cooperative hunting of schooling fish.
Interesting facts
- Its huge dorsal fin, the ‘sail’, can be raised when hunting or folded down when swimming fast.
- Sailfish can rapidly change colour, flashing bright stripes as they hunt.
- It is often called the fastest fish, but recent studies suggest older speed records were greatly overestimated.
- Sailfish grow very quickly in their first year.
- They are popular with sport fishers, who usually release them.
- Divers can snorkel alongside hunting sailfish off Mexico’s Yucatán coast.
Behaviour
Sailfish often hunt in groups, herding sardines into tight bait balls near the surface. They raise their sails to appear larger and slash or tap fish with their bills.
Breeding and young
Females release millions of eggs into warm surface waters. The larvae grow extremely fast.
Threats and conservation
Accidental capture in longline fisheries and overfishing in some regions.
Where to see it
- Isla Mujeres, Mexico, from January to March
- Pacific coast of Guatemala (catch-and-release fishing)
- Watamu and Malindi, Kenya
- Stuart, Florida
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
Swimming with Whale Sharks in Holbox and Isla Mujeres
