The average lifespan of a sailfish is 5 to 7 years. The maximum lifespan of the sailfish is estimated at around 15 years. Often working together in groups of two or more, swift sailfish thrash at and disrupt schools of smaller fish such as sardines and anchovies, thus allowing each sailfish to more easily snag its meals.
The sailfish’s spear-like bill also comes in handy for slashing at larger prey fish, which stuns them into submission. Together, sailfish engage their huge dorsal fins, creating a fence around their prey to prevent their victims from escaping their clutches.
The sailfish is the fastest fish in the world – able to swim at a speed of 110 km/h (68 mph). The secret to the sailfish’s speed is probably its shape. At cruising speeds of 11 km/h (7 mph), they can fold down their first dorsal fin to reduce drag. Sailfish are also known for their incredible jumps.
Spending most of their time in the upper 10 m (33 ft) of the water column, sailfish occasionally dive down to depths up to 350 m (1,150 ft) to find food.
While sailfish are cold-blooded animals, they have special organs next to their eyes to heat their eyes and also their brain. The heating of the eyes greatly improves the vision, and subsequently improves their ability to catch prey.
