Family: ISTIOPHORIDAE, Billfish Marlin, Billfishes, Sailfishes, Marlins

FAMILY ISTIOPHORIDAE

BILLFISHES, SAILFISHES, MARLINS

This family contains the billfishes, which are closely allied to the swordfish (Family (Xiphiidae). Billfishes (Family Istiophoridae) have round swords; teeth present, the 2 dorsal fins are close together and the 1st has a very long base; pelvic fins and scales present; double keels on the base of the strongly forked tail fin.

There are 11 species of billfishes in 5 genera (see Collette et al, 2006)  in this tropical to temperate, circumglobal family. In our region there are four Indo-Pacific species.  In our region there are four species (2 circumtropical, 2 pan-Atlantic) in four circumglobal genera.