The Blue Marlin is a trophy billfish that puts up a remarkable fight when hooked. The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is the largest trophy billfish and one of the biggest fish in the world. Common size is around 11 ft. (3.5 m) with a weight around 1.980 lbs. (900 kg) However females can exceed 14 ft. The smaller males, grow much slower than females and do not generally exceed 400 lbs., which is the species’ average weight.
There are four species of fish with the common name marlin. These fish are classified into two genera. In the strictest sense, marlins belong to the genus Makaira. Examples of marlins in this genus are the blue marlin A marlin leaping. Photograph by Darrell Jones. Stock Market. Reproduced by permission. (Makaira nigricans) and the black marlin (Makaira indica). Two additional species with the common name marlin are the striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) and the white marlin (Tetrapterus albidus).
This Marlin is usually found offshore in deep blue tropical and temperate waters. It is known to make regular seasonal migrations, moving toward the equator in winter and away again in the summer months. Additional migrations may span the entire Atlantic. Known for putting up a remarkable fight when hooked, these rare marine species are the holy grail for sport fishers.
Habitat And Diet Of Marlins
They are so-called blue-water fish, spending most of their lives far out at sea. They are also highly migratory, and will follow warm ocean currents for hundreds and even thousands of miles.
Blue marlins prefer the higher temperature of surface waters, feeding on mackerel and tuna, but will also dive deep to eat squid. They are among the fastest fish in the ocean, and use their spears to slash through dense schools, returning to eat their stunned and wounded victims.
How Much Do Marlins Weigh
The larger species include the Atlantic blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, which can reach 5 m (16.4 ft) in length and 818 kg (1,803 lb) in weight and the black marlinBlack marlinThe black marlin is a species of marlin found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. With a maximum published length of 4.65 m and weight of 750 kg, it is one of the largest marlins and also one of the largest bony fish. It is one of the fastest fish species as well, having been recorded un…en.wikipedia.org, Istiompax indica, which can reach in excess of 5 m (16.4 ft) in length and 670 kg (1,480 lb) in weight. They are popular sporting fish in tropical areas.
The Atlantic blue marlin is a species of marlin endemic to the Atlantic Ocean. It is closely related to, and usually considered conspecific with, the Indo-Pacific blue marlin, then simply called blue marlin. Some authorities still consider both species distinct.
What Is The Heaviest Marlin Ever Caught?
The largest marlin ever landed on rod and reel in accordance with IGFA rules was caught in Cabo Blanco, Peru, aboard Petrel, skippered by Stirling Stuart. The world record catch weighed 1,560 pounds and measured 14 feet, 6 inches in length and had a girth of 6 feet, 9 inches.
How Much Does A Full Grown Marlin Weigh?
Common size is around 11 ft. (3.5 m) with a weight around 1.980 lbs. (900 kg) However females can exceed 14 ft. The smaller males, grow much slower than females and do not generally exceed 400 lbs., which is the species’ average weight.
How Big Do Marlins Get?
Biology. Blue marlin may grow to be more than 12 feet long and may weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Female blue marlin grow larger than males and may live 20 years. Male blue marlin reach 7 feet in length and may live up to 10 years.
Where Do Marlins Lay Eggs?
This incredible predator lives a solitary life from the time it is born. The mother lays her eggs in the open water and they float along until hatching with no parental care. From then on, the fish spends most of its life alone, far from land, in the warm surface waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Can You Eat Marlin Raw?
Striped Marlin is considered the finest eating of all Marlin species because of its tender flesh. Striped Marlin is frequently used in raw fish preparations as poke, sashimi or carpaccio or is cooked in the same manner as Tuna and Swordfish.
Is Marlin A Healthy Fish To Eat?
Hawaii Striped Marlin is an excellent source of healthy, extra lean protein. It is also low in saturated fat and low in sodium. It is rich in niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus and selenium. Hawaii Striped Marlin also provides about 825 mg of omega-3’s (DHA and EPA) per 4 ounce serving of fresh fish.
Are You Allowed To Catch Marlin?
Yes, you are allowed to catch marlin. However, as I mentioned above, the US is limited to a total recreational catch of 250 combined Blue Marlin, White Marlin, and roundscape spearfish.
Do Marlins Die After Being Caught?
Sportfishing tournaments are hugely popular, with Marlins being an aggressive predator that puts up a large fight during the catch. However, it is well known within the fishing community that some billfish, including Marlins, do occasionally die during the fight after being caught.
Marlins can usually be released unharmed after a half-hour fight without hesitation. That being said, after an hour things can become much more critical for the Marlin. Unfortunately, big Marlins frequently die during or after the prolonged fight that they endure with the anglers trying to land this trophy species.
This has led to controversy around the sport of catching Marlins and game fishing in general, as many people argue that it is unnecessary for the species to die in the name of sport.