The roundscale spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii) is an Istiophoridae species of marlin living in the epipelagic zone of the Atlantic Ocean. It has long been misidentified as white marlin but can be differentiated thanks to their scale shapes that gives its name. Not much is known about this species. It could reach a length of 160 cm and 21,5 kg and has no conservation status yet due to a lack of data.
Ca
CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
Pl
PlanktivoreA planktivore is an aquatic organism that feeds on planktonic food, including zooplankton and phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are usually photosynthet...
Ov
OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
So
SolitaryMi
MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
Oc
OceanodromousR
starts withTetrapturus georgii has asymmetrical gonads and a presence of swim bladder, consisting of many small bubble-shaped chambers essential for buoyancy regulation.
Tetrapturus georgii is endemic to the Atlantic Ocean. Most specimens of this species are found in Madeira, Sicily, the Straits of Gibraltar, and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean off southern Portugal. But observations have been made all around the Atlantic Ocean from North to South and East to West. It's not unusual for them to make long migrations across the ocean. The nursery areas for larval and juveniles stages remain unknown.
Their rostrum and powerful speed burst is useful to stun and catch preys. Tetrapturus georgiii spends more than 60% of its time at depths of less than 10m and is thus an epi-pelagic fish.
Little is known about Tetrapturus behaviors. This lonely migratory predators, sometimes meet in high prey density areas. But much of the available research focuses on individual movements and habitat use, rather than exploring group dynamics. The lack of comprehensive data on billfish species, combined with the challenges of studying these elusive marine animals, lead to poor social structure and behavioral understanding.
Feeding habits of Tetrapturus georgii have not been reported in scientific literature. But the same way as their related cousins, the roundscale spearfish probably feed on schooling fishes, bony fishes, squid, octopuses and cuttlefishes. The billfishes are high trophic levelpredators.
Tetrapturus georgii could be a host of the parasite Capsala laevis.
Very little is known on its reproductive biology, mating display and sexual behavior. Tetrapturus georgii is an dioecious species laying eggs in batches in tropical regions. Those eggs hatch into planktonic larvae growing to become juveniles. The maximum lifespan could be between 8 and 15 years according to their closest relatives
