2.1.8.1 SAI - Chapter 2.1.8.1 - Sailfish (SAI) Species Description

Oct 13, 2026

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Provides a structured species account for the Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans), designated by ICCAT species code SAI. Summarizes scientific classification and synonyms, and lists common vernacular names used by ICCAT and FishBase. Details key identification traits of adults, including body shape, fin morphology, scale and lateral line features, coloration, and internal characteristics. Also outlines larval and juvenile external changes and introduces biology and population study topics such as habitat preferences.

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2.1.8.1 Description of Sailfish (SAI)

Names

Classification and taxonomy

Common names

Identification

Biology and population studies

Habitat preferences

2.1.8.1 SAI | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | CHAPTER [2.1.8.1](2.1.8.1) : | AUTHORS: | LAST UPDATE: | | SAILFISH | F. AROCHA and M. ORTIZ | Sept. 4, 2006 | 2.1.8.1 Description of Sailfish (SAI) 1. Names 1.a Classification and taxonomy Species name: Istiophorus albicans (Latreille 1804) Synonyms in use: Istiophorus platypterus ICCAT species code: SAI ICCAT names: Atlantic sailfish (English), Voiliere de l’Atlantique (French), Pez vela del Atlántico (Spanish) According to Nakamura (1985), Atlantic sailfish is classified as follows: • Phylum: Chordata • Subphylum: Vertebrata • Superclass: Gnathostomata • Class: Osteichthyes • Subclass: Actinopterygii • Order: Perciformes • Suborder: Xiphioidei • Family: Istiophoridae 1.b Common names List of vernacular names used according to ICCAT and Fishbase ([www.fishbase.org](www.fishbase.org)). Those with (*) are national standard names according to a survey conducted by ICCAT. The list is not exhaustive and some localnames might not be included. Azores Islands: Atlantic sailfish Barbados: Sailfish Benin: Ajètè-abadanon Brazil: Agulhão-bandeira, Agulhão de vela Canada: Sailfish Cape Verde: Peixe-vela, Veleiro China: ⮶導㾚㡦淩 Côte d’Ivoire: Voilier Cuba: Aguja voladora, Aguja de abanico, Voladeira Denmark: Atlantisk sejlfisk Dominican Republic: Aguja Finland: Atlantinpurjekala France: Voilier de l'Atlantique Germany: Segelfisch Greece: ǿıĲȚȠĳȩȡȠȢ ǹĲȜĮȞĲȚțȠȪ Italy: Pesce vela Japan: Nishibashookajiki Korea: Dot-sae-chi Martinique: Voilier de l'Atlantique, Mere balaou Mexico: Pez vela, Volador Morocco: Espadon Netherlands Antilles: Balau wairu, Balau di bandera ICCAT MANUAL, 1st Edition (January 2010) Norway: Atlantisk seilfisk Portugal: Espardarte veleiro, Peixe de vela Puerto Rico: Sailfish Russian Fed: Atlanticheskii parusnik, Parusnik-ryba Senegal: Espadon voilier South Africa: Seilvis, Sailfish Spain: Pez vela del Atlántico Trinidad y Tobago: Sailfish Uruguay: Pez vela United Kingdom: Atlantic sailfish United States of America: Atlantic sailfish Venezuela: Pez vela, Palagar 2. Identification Figure 1. Drawing of an adult sailfish by Les Gallagher (Les Gallagher: fishpics) . Characteristics of Istiophorus albicans (see Figure 1 and Figure 2) Sailfish is one of the mid-size billfish species. The maximal length was reported by Nakamura (1985) in 315 cm, 58 kg in weight from recorded measurements of sport-fishermen in Walker Bay, Bahamas in 1950. Common sizes are 160-180 cm, up to 230 cm lower jaw to fork length (LJFL) . Regarding age, Chiang et al. (2004) estimated maximum ages of 12 years for females and 11 years for males using dorsal fin spine sections from sailfish in the waters east of Chinese Taipei. Tagging experiments have shown that the longest time–at large of Atlantic sailfish ever recorded was 17 years (Ortiz et al. 2003) . External: • Elongated and very compressed body covered with sparsely imbedded scales with blunt point. • Upper jaw prolonged into a slender stout spear with round cross-section. • First dorsal fin large, sail-like, considerably higher than body depth throughout most of its length, highest at mid-fin, second dorsal fin small. • Pelvic fins very long and narrow, extending 2/3-3/4 length of body, almost reaching anal opening. • Caudal peduncle with double keels on each side, with a caudal notch on the dorsal and ventral surface. • Caudal fin of young specimens longer than those of Indo-Pacific sailfish. • Two separated anal fins, first anal 15-15 rays, and second anal fin with 6-7 rays. • Dorsal spines: 42-47 rays in first fin, 6-7 rays in second fin. • Single lateral line visible, curved above pectoral fin, then straight towards tail. 2.1.8.1 SAI • Anal opening close to anterior origin of first anal fin. • Vertebrae: 12 precaudal plus 12 caudal. • No gillrakers, jaws and palatines with small teeth in adults. Color: • Dark

FAQs

What species name and ICCAT code are used for Sailfish (SAI)?

The document lists the species name as Istiophorus albicans and the ICCAT species code as SAI.

Which classification ranks are given for Atlantic sailfish?

It provides a taxonomic hierarchy from Phylum Chordata down to Family Istiophoridae, following the classification described by Nakamura (1985).

What are the main adult identification characteristics highlighted?

Key traits include an elongated, compressed body with sparse embedded scales, a spear-like extended upper jaw, a large sail-like first dorsal fin, long narrow pelvic fins, and distinct fin and keel structures on the caudal peduncle.

Oct 13, 2026

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