Species learning profile
Longbill spearfish
Tetrapturus pfluegeri
Longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) is a saltwater fish associated with open ocean habitat in Atlantic. A slender body and long bill distinguish this elusive Atlantic hunter.
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At a glance
- Eau
- Eau salée
- Habitat
- Haute mer
- Longueur maximale
- 254 cm
- Répartition
- Atlantique
- Famille
- Istiophoridae
- Ordre
- Istiophoriformes
Observe
How to identify Longbill spearfish
- A slender body and long bill distinguish this elusive Atlantic hunter.
- Guide context: open ocean habitat in Atlantic.
- Reported maximum length: 254 cm — a genuinely giant fish. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.
Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.
Place and pattern
Where it lives—and how it behaves
Habitat and range
This species is associated with open ocean habitat across Atlantic. With little fixed shelter, currents, temperature fronts, depth, and moving prey define its open-ocean world.
Behavior
Ranges through warm offshore water
Food-web connections
What it eats and why it matters
Diet
Fish and squid.
Ecological role
A mid-sized billfish predator.
Remember
One fact worth keeping
Longbill spearfish peut atteindre environ 254 cm et vit souvent près de Haute mer.
Think like a conservationist
A conservation lens
Wide-ranging ocean fish can cross many jurisdictions, so bycatch, harvest limits, and international cooperation matter.
This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.
Recall
Quick knowledge check
Which habitat is most closely associated with Longbill spearfish in this guide?
Keep exploring
References and further reading
Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.
Make connections