Sailfish Can Swim as Fast as Cheetahs Can Run

Cheetahs are known for being fleet-footed, reaching top speeds of 65 to 75 miles per hour. But there’s one type of fish that can be aptly described as fleet-finned, giving cheetahs a run (forgive the pun) for their money. Sailfish — specifically the Indo-Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) and Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans), the two primary species of sailfish — can zoom around at up to 68 miles per hour.

While sailfish typically swim at a speed between 20 and 35 miles per hour, they can achieve double that in short bursts, typically when chasing prey. This is despite the fish’s immense size, as the average adult sailfish measures 11 feet long and weighs 211 pounds. But their sleek bodies allow them to glide through water with ease, and their powerful crescent-shaped caudal fins (or tails, in layman’s terms) propel the fish forward with incredible strength at lightning-fast speed.