Blue Marlin

Fact File:

Common Name(s):
Blue Marlin or Atlantic Blue Marlin

Scientific Name:
Makaira nigricans  (Laceoede,1802)

Usual Size:
In excess of 375cm

UK Record Weights from rod/line:
Shore:

Boat:

MAFF Minimum Size: Shore: Boat:
Identification:
Colour: Body blue/black on the back and silvery white on the belly with about 15 rows of cobalt blue stripes. The first dorsal fin membrane is black or dark blue and there are no spots

Breeding:
Little is known although egg dispersal.

Habitat:
Has a water temperature requirement of between 22/31ºC and prefers clean clear waters.

Food:
Tuna species

Range:
In the Eastern Atlantic believed from the Iberian Peninsula down to the Cape of Good Hope

Additional Notes:
Known to grow above 100lbs in weight. Another extremely rare vagrant to UK waters.

REFERENCES:

FAO Species Catalogue - Vol V - Billfishes of The World - Nakamura

Fishes of the North-Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean - Whitehead, Bauchot, Hureau, Nielsen, Tortonese

Key to the Fishes of Northern Europe - Wheeler


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