The Florida State Saltwater Fish Sailfish

Sailfish are not peculiar to Florida; they are found nearly everywhere there is warm ocean water. However, Florida sailfishing is legendary, especially in the Ft. Pierce, Miami and Keys areas during colder months. Sailfish migrate southward as the weather chills in the north. The sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) resembles a torpedo when swimming, and can reach speeds of 60 mph. Average size and weight taken from Florida waters is 7' and 27 pounds. Author Ernest Hemingway landed a 9'1" sailfish in 1934 off Key West. Naturally, with its colorful and characteristic sail, the specimen frequently ends up on a den wall. The Florida Department of Natural Resources reports, however, that in the 25-year period ending in 1975, more than 14,000 sailfish were tagged and released. Sailfish-mania in Florida is evidenced by the increasing number of sailfish tournaments each year in this state.

A female sailfish releases several million eggs each year. Growth of the fish is rapid; a fertilized egg hatches within a day and a half, and by the end of the first year of life, a fish may have attained 6' in length. Experts believe the fish has a life span of up to ten years, but most are thought to live only 3 or 4 years.

The 1975 Florida Legislature adopted the sailfish as the official Saltwater Fish.