Istiophoridae

Atlantic blue marlin

Makaira nigricans

Fifteen cobalt stripes crossing blue water alone

• Blue
• Gray
• Silver
• Tropical
• Globally widespread
• Marine fish
• Fusiform
• Large
• Tropical fish

Reigning supreme as the undisputed monarch of the open ocean, the Atlantic blue marlin is an immense, highly migratory pelagic apex predator traversing the warm offshore waters of the Atlantic basin. Its sleek, hydrodynamic body presents a deep cobalt-blue dorsal surface that contrasts with shining silver-white flanks crossed by fifteen or more pale cobalt-white vertical stripes that blaze vividly when hunting. A long, stout, round spear-like bill projects forward from the snout, while the tall, sharply pointed first dorsal fin features a front height less than the maximum body depth. Unlike the black marlin, its pectoral fins are completely non-rigid and fold smoothly flat against the body flanks during high-speed swimming. Distributed widely through tropical and warm temperate open oceans from surface waters down to two hundred meters depth, it undertakes ocean-spanning migrations. Apex pursuit hunters chase skipjack tunas, dolphinfish, mackerels, and squids, using lightning-fast bill strikes to stun prey. Females grow to colossal proportions, with maximum recorded total lengths reaching five hundred centimetres and weights over six hundred kilograms.

Sources: NOAA Fisheries — Atlantic Blue Marlin, Makaira nigricans