Roundscale Spearfish

Often confused with the white marlin, the Roundscale Spearfish is a slim, deep blue fish with a coppery sheen on its sides and a silvery belly. It takes its name from its soft, rounded scales, which distinguish it from its more rigid-scaled relatives. These fast-swimming predators can reach 160 cm in length and weigh up to 21.5 kg. They possess a narrow, rounded bill and a slight hump behind the head, cutting a distinctive profile in the open ocean.

This species is endemic to the Atlantic Ocean, frequently appearing near Madeira, Sicily, and the Straits of Gibraltar. While they are known to migrate across the entire ocean, they spend over 60% of their time in the top 10m of water. These solitary hunters likely pursue squid, octopuses, and schooling fish, using bursts of speed and their rostrum to capture prey. Little is known of their breeding habits beyond the fact that they likely release eggs in tropical waters. These eggs feature small drops of oil and develop into larvae that drift with the plankton before growing rapidly.

Because they were misidentified for so long, their population numbers are uncertain, though trends appear worrying. They are not targeted by commercial fleets but are frequently caught by accident in tuna and swordfish longlines. Even in recreational fishing, where most are released, the stress of capture causes a high death rate. Without accurate data, it is difficult to manage the recovery of this elusive fish.