Guinness World Records reports on its website that the fastest fish over short distances is the cosmopolitan sailfish. The sailfish won this record while swimming at the Long Key Fishing Camp in the state of Florida. The sailfish swam out 300 feet in 3 seconds, traveling an amazing 68 mph! It even beats the fastest land mammal, the cheetah, which can run at 60 mph.
Its great speed has won the sailfish a world record and the admiration of sport fisherman. In fact, they're such a favorite of fishermen that its caused a dramatic decline of their numbers. For this reason, many sport fisherman who are concerned with conservation of the species will release them back into the water after they catch them.
They have been known to hunt in groups to surround their prey, such as squid and tuna, by fencing them in with their high fins. Essentially, their fins allow them to trap their prey within a deadly corral, especially those that like to swim near the ocean’s surface.
The cosmopolitan sailfish was given the scientific name of Istiophorus platypterus.
