Page 31 - Central America

Sailfish: The Ocean’s Wolf Pack

Sailfish feed on “bait balls” during the winter
and spring months. Sailfish are called the
wolves of the sea. They hunt in packs in vio-
lent coordinated attack.

Sailfish feed on “bait balls” during the winter and spring months. Sailfish
are called the wolves of the sea. They hunt in packs in violent coor-
dinated attack. They are predominately blue to gray in color and have a
characteristic erectile dorsal fin known as a sail, which often stretches the
entire length of the back. Another notable characteristic is the elongated
bill, resembling that of the swordfish and other marlins. They are therefore
described as billfish in sport fishing circles. Sailfish are apex predators,
feeding mainly on schooling fishes such as sardines, anchovies,
mackerel, and jacks. Being at the top of their ocean food chain, bill-
fish don’t have regular predators, but they are occasionally eaten,
particularly in their juvenile stages, by other large fishes such as
tunas, wahoo, and dolphin fishes.