Blue marlin

Cuban black marlin
Photo Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles
Family Billfishes
Scientific Family Istiophoridae
Scientific Name Makaira nigricans
Spanish Name Castero
ITIS# 172491
Tail shape Lunate

Body blue-black above and silvery white below, with about 15 rows of pale cobalt-colored stripes; 1st dorsal fin plain blackish or dark blue, other fins brown black with a tinge of dark blue in some specimens; anal fin bases with a tinge of silvery white.


Biology

Oceanic species. At least in the northern Gulf of Mexico, the fish shows a preference for blue water. Rarely gathers in schools and usually found as scattered single individuals. Feeds mostly in near-surface waters but sometimes takes food in relatively deep water as is shown by the presence of deep sea fishes in the stomachs of some specimens.

Appearance

Body Shape
Fusiform
Color
Main Color: Blue-black
Other Color: silver
Common Body Shape
Torpedo-shaped


Pattern
Barred
Length
Avg Length: 116 inches (290 cm)
Max Length: 200 inches (500 cm)
Maximum Weight
1400.8 lbs (636000 g)




Specifications

Handling Concerns
Harmless
Conservation Concerns
Declining
Range in USA
ME-TX


Abundance
Uncommon


Other Species from same Family