Blue Marlin, Makaira nigricans (Jordan & Snyder, 1901)

Scientific name: Makaira nigricans
  • Updated
    25/01/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Makaira nigricans Click to enlarge image
A 2.35m long Blue Marlin caught east of Kiama (water depth 180m) , New South Wales, February 2007 Image: G. Ashton
© G. Ashton

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Makaira
    Species
    nigricans
    Family
    Istiophoridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to over 4.47 m in length and over 900 kg.

Introduction

The Blue Marlin is an extremely fast swimmer and is found throughout tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. It feeds on tuna and other fish, using it's bill to slash it's prey before swallowing it.

Identification

The Blue Marlin has an elongate body with a long stout bill that is rounded in cross section. It has two dorsal fins. The height of the first dorsal fin is less than the depth of the body. There are two anal fins, a lunate caudal fin and two strong keels on the side of the caudal peduncle.

The Blue Marlin is blue-black above and silvery below.

The blade-shaped pectoral fins can be depressed against the side of the body. In contrast, the curved pectoral fins of the Black Marlin cannot be depressed. Those of the Striped Marlin, Tetrapturus audax, are more leaf-shaped.

Distribution

The Blue Marlin is found throughout tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.

In Australia Blue Marlin are recorded from most tropical and subtropical marine waters.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Feeding and diet

Dietary items include tunas and other fishes. Less important food items include squids and large crustaceans. Analysis of stomach contents indicate that the Blue Marlin uses its bill to slash prey before it is swallowed.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Like all the other fishes in the family Istiophoridae, the Blue Marlin is a very fast swimmer.

References

  1. Graves, J.E. & J.R. McDowell. 2003. Stock structure of the world's istiophorid billfishes: a genetic perspective. Marine and Freshwater Research. 54:287-298.
  2. Nakamura, I. 1985. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 5. Billfishes of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. No. 125 (5): i-iv, 1-65.