The spearfishes are cosmopolitan, but nowhere are they abundant. The longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) is known to occur in the northwest Atlantic from New Jersey to Venezuela, including the Gulf of Mexico. Japanese longliners have also recorded its occurrence in the north central Atlantic, in the south Atlantic, and off South Africa. The shortbill spearfish (T. angustirostris) is known in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is not reported to occur in the Mediterranean, but has been captured in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. The Mediterranean spearfish (T. belong) is known to occur only in the Mediterranean Sea.

Some scientist believe that a fourth species of spearfish (Tetrapturus georgei; Lowe, 1840) exists. Called the roundscale spearfish, it occurs around Sicily, Portugal, and Spain and is said to resemble the so-called hatchet marlin. The hatchet marlin has not yet been proven to be a separate species, however, and is presently considered to be a variation of the white marlin, which may also be the fate of the roundscale spearfish.

It can be distinguished from other billfishes by its slender, lightweight body, short bill, and its dorsal fin which is highest anteriorly (higher than in the marlins and lower than in the sail fish). The vent is located well in front of the anal fin, in all other billfish it is located close to it. The bill of the shortbill spearfish is barely longer than its lower jaw, whereas in the longbill spearfish it is about twice as long, but still quite short by billfish standards. The pectoral fins of the shortbill and Mediterranean spearfishes barely reach to the curve of the lateral line. In the longbill they extend beyond the curve. The longbill spearfish has more elements (45 to 53) in the first dorsal fin than any other Atlantic billfish. The shortbill spearfish of the Mediterranean spearfish has fewer (39-46). The lateral line is single and arches above the pectoral fins. The dorsal fin is bright blue and has no spots. The vertical bars on the body are never as prominent as in other billfish and my show only slightly or not at all.

They are pelagic, offshore, deep-water fishes. They feed at or near the surface, mainly on small and medium-sized fishes and squids, including dolphin, sauries, flying fish, needlefish and pilot fish. They appear to be available all year in small number. Fishing methods are the same as for other billfish, but with lighter tackle. Most are taken incidentally. Spearfishes are fairly good eating, though the flesh is dark.

Available data indicate that the longbill spearfish matures by the age of two and rarely lives past three years of age. Maximum age may be four to five years.