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Longbill spearfish
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Carangiformes
Family:	Istiophoridae
Genus:	Tetrapturus
Species:	T. pfluegeri
Binomial name
Tetrapturus pfluegeri C. R. Robins & de Sylva, 1963

The longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) is a species of marlin native to the Atlantic Ocean where it is found above the thermocline in open waters between 40°N and 35°S. This species can reach a length of 254 centimetres (100 in) FL and the maximum weight recorded is 58 kilograms (128 lb). It feeds on pelagic fishes such as needlefish, tuna, and jack, as well as squids. They spawn once a year. The specific name honours the Florida game fisherman and taxidermist Albert Pflueger Sr, who died in 1962.

Description

The longbill spearfish is a blueish black color from above, and silvery-white and brown on the sides. The pectorals are blackish-brown and the dorsal fins are dark blue.

References

• Robins, Richard P.; Donald P. de Sylva (1963). "A New Western Atlantic Spearfish, Tetrapturus Pfluegeri, with a Redescription of the Mediterranean Spearfish Tetrapturus Belone". Bulletin of Marine Science. 13 (1): 84–122.

1. ^ Collette, B.; Amorim, A.F.; Boustany, A.; Carpenter, K.E.; de Oliveira Leite Jr.; N.; Fox, W.; Fredou, F.L.; Graves, J.; Viera Hazin, F.H.; Juan Jorda, M.; Minte Vera, C.; Miyabe, N.; Nelson, R.; Oxenford, H.; Teixeira Lessa, R.P.; Pires Ferreira Travassos, P.E. (2011). "Tetrapturus pfluegeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T170307A6738137. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170307A6738137.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Tetrapturus pfluegeri". FishBase. August 2013 version.
3. "Biographical Etymology of Marine Organism Names. P". Hans.G.Hansson. Retrieved 13 May 2018.

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Swordfish (1 species)	Xiphiidae
Marlin	Sailfish (2 species) Atlantic sailfish Indo-Pacific sailfish Istiompax (1 species) Black marlin Makaira (2 species) Atlantic blue marlin Indo-Pacific blue marlin Kajikia (2 species) White marlin Striped marlin Tetrapturus (4 species) Shortbill spearfish Roundscale spearfish Mediterranean spearfish Longbill spearfish
Related topics	Apex predators Predatory fish Oceanic fish Big-game fishing Marlin fishing Marlin (magazine) Gray's paradox Protosphyraena (fossil) Scombridae United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement The Old Man and the Sea

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