Longbill spearfish
A sleek Atlantic marlin with a long bill and dark fins.
The longbill spearfish is a marlin species found in the open Atlantic Ocean. It grows up to 254 cm and feeds on pelagic fish and squid. Named after Albert Pflueger Sr, it spawns annually in warm waters.
- Grows up to 254 cm in fork length
- Found in Atlantic open waters
- Feeds on tuna, jack, and squid
- Named after Albert Pflueger Sr
- Spawns once every year
What it is
The longbill spearfish is a type of marlin with a streamlined body and a prominent bill. Its upper body is blueish black, while the sides show silvery-white and brown tones. The pectoral fins are blackish-brown, and the dorsal fins appear dark blue. This species can grow to a fork length of 254 centimetres and weigh up to 58 kilograms. It belongs to the group of billfish known for their speed and predatory nature in open seas.
Where it lives
This fish lives in the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from 40 degrees north to 35 degrees south latitude. It prefers open waters and stays above the thermocline, which is the layer where temperature changes rapidly with depth. This habitat choice keeps it in warmer surface waters where its prey is abundant. The distribution covers a vast area of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic.
How it lives
The longbill spearfish is a predator that feeds on other pelagic fishes. Its diet includes needlefish, tuna, and jack, as well as squids. It hunts in the open ocean, using its speed and bill to catch fast-moving prey. As a pelagic species, it spends its life in the water column rather than near the sea floor or coast. It likely travels alone or in small groups while hunting.
Breeding and life cycle
This species spawns once a year. The specific timing and location of spawning events are not detailed in the available records, but the annual cycle suggests a seasonal pattern linked to water conditions. Little else is recorded about the eggs or juvenile stages in the provided material.
Fish and people
The specific name honours Albert Pflueger Sr, a Florida game fisherman and taxidermist who died in 1962. This connection highlights its status as a game fish, sought by anglers for sport. Its size and fighting ability make it a notable catch for recreational fishing in the Atlantic.
Status and threats
Threats such as overfishing or habitat loss are not detailed.
Questions people ask about Longbill spearfish
Where does the longbill spearfish live?
It is native to the Atlantic Ocean, found in open waters between 40°N and 35°S. It stays above the thermocline in warmer surface layers.
What does the longbill spearfish eat?
It feeds on pelagic fishes such as needlefish, tuna, and jack. It also consumes squids, hunting them in the open ocean environment.
How big does the longbill spearfish get?
It can reach a fork length of 254 centimetres. The maximum recorded weight for this species is 58 kilograms.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Longbill spearfish", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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