Fish profile · Istiophoridae
Indo-Pacific sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
Also called Pacific sailfish
A billfish with a towering sail-shaped dorsal fin and a slender bill. It feeds on schooling fish and squid and is a major sport-fishing attraction off Kuala Rompin, Pahang.
Last reviewed 13 October 2026 · 9 sources
- Max length
- 350 cm
- Max weight
- 100 kg
- IUCN
- VU
- Vulnerable
- In Malaysia
- Native
- Family
- Istiophoridae
- order Perciformes
Category from the IUCN Red List, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0); it may lag the latest Red List assessment.
How big?
Linear scale · person 170 cm
Up to 350 cm and 100 kg.
Where in Malaysia
1 open-licence record · GBIF
How to identify
- Very tall sail-shaped first dorsal fin
- Long slender bill
- Vertical bands made of blue spots on the sides
- Deeply forked tail
Habitat
Upper ocean waters, also approaching continental coasts, islands and reefs.
- Diet
- Schooling fish, squid and other small animal prey.
- Native range
- Tropical and subtropical oceans; this profile focuses on Indo-Pacific populations.
Before you fish
Many Rompin charter operators practise catch-and-release for billfish. This is an operator practice, not a claim of a nationwide legal requirement; confirm the applicable rules with the Department of Fisheries.
Rules change and differ by state. Check with your state Fisheries Office before you fish. Last checked 13 October 2026.
Catching it
- Season
- Rompin operators commonly fish March–October, with some extending into early November; quoted season dates vary. August–October is commonly reported as the peak. The November–February northeast monsoon can bring rough seas and suspend trips.
- Methods
- TrollingFly fishingLure castingFloat fishing
- Baits and lures
- Live baitfish
More photos
Sources
Last reviewed 13 October 2026