BLUE MARLIN (Makaira igricans)
Family istiophoridae, Billfishes
Description:color cobalt blue on top shading to
silvery white on bottom;upper jaw elongated in form of spear; dorsal fin and- pointed
atfront end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral linereticulated (interwoven like a
net), difficult to see in largespecimens; no dark spots on dorsal fin; body covered
withimbedded scales ending in one or two sharp points.
Similar fish:white marlin, T albidus(white
has rounded dorsal at front end, rounded tip of pectoraland anal fins, and spots on the
dorsal fin).
Where found:OFFSHORE, a blue water fish.
Size:largest of the Atlantic marlins, common to 11
feet, known toexceed 2,000 pounds.
Remarks:all of trophy size are females; males do
not exceed 300 pounds;make trans-Atlantic migrations; spawning procedures unknown;feeds on
Squid and pelagic fishes, including blackfin tuna andfrigate mackerel.
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Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Marine Resources, Office of Fisheries Management and Assistance ServicesRevised - 12/14/02 04:19 PM