Fish
Sailfish
Sailfish (Istiophorus) is a large billfish with a towering dorsal “sail,” taken mainly as bycatch or sport-fish catch rather than a dedicated food fishery. Flesh is lean, dense, and mildly flavoured—closer to swordfish or marlin than to oily mackerels—with a firm grain that suits steaks and thick loins. Colour is pale pink to greyish when raw and turns white-opaque when cooked. Coastal kitchens in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific grill, smoke, or cube sailfish for stews and ceviche where local supply allows. Overcooking dries it quickly; treat like other lean billfish with brief high heat or moist methods. Availability is seasonal and regional—check freshness carefully, as large pelagics spoil if the cold chain breaks.
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A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 5.31 g
- Saturated Fat 0.98 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 2.02 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 2.13 g
- Cholesterol 59.1 mg
- Sodium 82.1 mg
- Salt 0.21 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 19.2 g
- Water 77.7 g
- Energy 137 kcal
- Water 77.7 g
- Protein 19.2 g
- Animal Protein 18.3 g
- Fat 5.31 g
- Saturated Fat 0.98 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 2.02 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 2.13 g
- Vitamins 49 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.11 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.17 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 4.42 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.77 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.43 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 3.2 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 12.8 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 2.4 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 1.6 µg
- Vitamin E 0.63 mg
- Vitamin K 0.5 µg
- Minerals 381 mg
- Major Minerals 300 mg
- Trace Minerals 80.8 mg
- Salt 0.21 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.21 g
- Cholesterol 59.1 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 2.4 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.11 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.17 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 4.42 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.77 · vitamin-b6: 0.43 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 3.2 · vitamin-b9-folate: 12.8 · vitamin-d: 1.6 · vitamin-e: 0.63 · vitamin-k: 0.5 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 82.05 · Potassium: 179 · Calcium: 39 · Iron: 1.4 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 79 ·
Fish flesh is lean to oily depending on species; marine omega-3s rise in fatty fish.
History
Coastal and river fishing for sailfish and related species supplied essential protein long before agriculture spread globally.
Salting, drying, smoking, and fermenting extended the shelf life of sailfish and enabled long-distance trade.
Ice preservation and railway transport brought fresh sailfish to inland cities beyond fishing ports.
Industrial freezing, aquaculture, and global logistics made sailfish widely available in international markets.