ATLANTIC SAILFISH 



151 



FiGiRE 20. — Young sailfish, 374 millimeters long. (Mounted specimen.) Captured in surf at Myrtle Beaoli. S. C. by 



hand, Aug. 3, 1952, by Robert M. and John Yount. 



The rate of increase in snout extension is con- 

 stant and much higher than that of the standard 

 length in specimens smaller than 50 mm., decreases 

 gradually in specimens larger than 50 mm., so that 

 it falls below that of the standard length in speci- 

 mens exceeding 100 mm. (fig. 31). 



The rate of increase in eye diameter exceeds that 

 of the standard length Ln specimens smaller than 

 10 mm., decreases to considerably less than it in 

 specimens between 10 and 100 mm., and increases 

 (but remains slightly below it) in specimens 

 exceeding 100 mm. (fig. 32). 



The rate of increase in pterotic spine length is 

 initially much higher than that of the standard 

 length, but decreases sharply, and spine growth 



has ceased in specimens approximately 7 mm 

 long (fig. 33). 



The rate of increase in the main preopercular 

 spine length is initially much higher than that of 

 the standard length, but decreases sharply, and 

 spine growth has ceased in specimens approxi- 

 mately 10 mm. long (fig. 33). 



The rate of increase in pelvic fin length exceeds, 

 considerably, that of the standard length in 

 specimens smaller than 10 mm., but decreased 

 gradually in specimens between 10 and 20 mm., 

 after which it approximates the standard length 

 rate (fig. 34). 



The rate of increase in length of the longest 

 dorsal ray (13th or 15th) exceeds that of the 



.■isni 3S <)— 57- 



