The diet composition of the sailfish Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw & Nodder, 1792) from Parangipettai,southeast coast of India (n=149; total length: 92-385 cm TL) was studied based on numerical composition (CN), percentage of gravimetric composition (CW), percentage and frequency of occurrence and index of relative importance (IRI) of prey. Occurrence in terms of frequency was anchovies (43.8%),rabbitfish (21.2%), squids (21.2%), ribbonfish (6.1%), tuna (3.1%), carangids (3.0%) and Indian mackerel (1.6%). The feeding intensities in relation to different size groups of sailfish were also analysed. The sailfish are carnivores, feeding mainly on teleosts and cephalopods.

Sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, diet composition