Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

3.3.9.6.5 Istiophorinae (Bill fishes, Spearfishes, Marlins and Sailfishes)

3.3.9.6.5 Istiophoridae (Bill fishes, Spearfishes, Marlins and Sailfishes)

 

• Upper jaw prolonged into a long spear which is round in cross section
• No rakers on gill arches
• Two dorsal fins and two anal fins
• 1 st dorsal fin and anal fin long, can both be folded back into grooves.
• Pectoral fins falcate
• Caudal fin large, strong and forked with a pair of keels on either side at base
• Pelvic fin very long with 1 or 2 rays and a spine

Eg. Istiophorus platypterus

Similar Families

Belonidae

Large representatives of Belonidae may be similar to small spear fishes or Marlins, with the first dorsal fin folded into a groove, but they have both jaws prolonged, the dorsal and anal fins both single and similar in size and shape; pectoral fins not falcate; pelvic fins inserted far behind the pectorals.