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Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) are bones in the fish’s upper jaw. Somewhat rounded,
impressive in so many ways. For starters, they’re with a pointed tip, the bill is covered with
big, growing up to 10 feet (3 m) long. They’re also toothlike bumps.
fast. Sailfish can tear through the water at speeds For many years, people weren’t quite sure how
of 22 to 34 miles (36 to 54 km) per hour. And a sailfish used their bills. One long-held idea was
sailfish’s spectacular “sail”—its large dorsal (top) that they use them to stab their prey, like you
fin—runs almost the length of its body. might stab a piece of steak with a knife. But it turns
But the sailfish’s bill usually draws the most out that sailfish use their bills like ninja sword
attention. It is formed from extremely elongated masters, with blinding speed and deadly accuracy.
A sailfish is poised to insert its
swordlike bill into a tightly packed
school of exhausted sardines.
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