Biological Information of Blue Marlin
Scientific Name
Makaira nigricans
Family
Istiophoridae
Class
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Habitat
Type
Pelagic (open sea)
Depth Range
Surface to 500 meters
Prefer warm waters
Generally above 22°C (71.6°F)
Feeding Habits
Diet
- Mackerel
- Tuna
- Squid
- Flying fish
Hunting Style
- Uses its sharp bill to stun or injure prey
- Fast and agile swimmer, ambushing prey in bursts of speed
Behavior & Habits
Migratory Species
- Travel thousands of kilometers
- Follow warm ocean currents and prey movement
Solitary
- Mostly seen alone except during spawning or in feeding aggregations
Speed
- Can swim up to 50 mph (80 km/h)
Importance & Threats
Sport Fishing Icon
- Highly prized in big-game fishing
Conservation Status
- Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
Threats
- Overfishing (especially by longline fisheries)
- Bycatch
- Habitat changes due to climate change
