A sailfish is one of the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of swimming up to 68 miles per hour, about as fast as a car driving through your neighborhood. It gets its name from the enormous fin on its back called a dorsal fin, which looks like a ship's sail and can be nearly as tall as the fish is long.

Sailfish are built for speed. Their bodies are sleek and streamlined, with a long, pointed bill (like a sword) extending from their upper jaw. They use this bill to slash through schools of smaller fish, stunning their prey before eating them. When hunting, sailfish often raise their tall dorsal fin, which helps them turn quickly and herd fish into tight groups.

These remarkable fish live in warm ocean waters around the world and are prized by sport fishers for their speed, acrobatic jumps, and the challenge they present. When hooked, a sailfish will often leap completely out of the water, twisting and shaking to escape. Some sailfish are brilliant blue and silver, combining exceptional speed with striking beauty.