David Hall's Encounters in the Sea Photography

Sailfish & Baitballs

The sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) is generally considered to be the fastest fish in the sea, with an estimated top speed exceeding 60mph (100 kmph). They are members of the billfish family, along with swordfish and marlins. Sailfish can grow to more than 10 feet in length and weigh over 200 lbs / 90kg.

Sailfish have been observed to hunt cooperatively. A group of sailfish may surround a school of baitfish (e.g. sardines), herding them into a tight, rounded grouping called a "baitball". The baitball is forced toward the surface, where the smaller fish are trapped and can be picked off one at a time. When circling a baitball, sailfish intermittently raise their dorsal fin, while flashing bright colors, perhaps to frighten the sardines into a tighter grouping.

Sailfish,
Mexico
Sailfish,
Mexico
Sailfish,
Mexico
Sailfish,
Mexico
Sailfish,
Mexico
Sailfish,
Mexico
Sailfish & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Bonito & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico
Sailfish & Bonito,
Gulf of Mexico
Bonito & Sardines,
Gulf of Mexico

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All images © David Hall. Any unauthorized use or reproduction of these images is strictly forbidden.