Black Marlin

Black marlin are one of the largest bony fishes.

Usually found in the Indian and the Pacific oceans, the black marlin is a fish that comfortably exists in the tropical and subtropical areas and can swim at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. It is a species of marline and has a maximum length of 4.65 meters. These marine creatures weigh around 1,653 pounds, and they belong to the family Istiophordae, which also includes sailfish.

The black marlin is considered the fastest fish in the world. Learn about the world’s fastest animals here.

5 Incredible Black Marlin Facts!

Black Marlin Classification and Scientific Name

Black marlins go by the scientific name Istiompax Indica and belong to the family Istiophordae and are closely related to sailfish. They come from the class Actinopterygii and order Istiophoriformes. The genus is Istiompax. Meanwhile, the kingdom is Animalia, and the phylum is Chordata.

With a close relation to the swordfish, the black marlin is one of seven different types of marlins. The word “indica” in their scientific name is Latin for “of India.”

Black Marlin Appearance

Black marlins are marine animals that have a shorter bill. Their dorsal fins are lower, and they also have a lower rounder. These fish can be easily differentiated from other marlin species since they have rigid pectoral fins that weigh around 150 pounds.

These marine creatures’ pectoral fin canopy is pressed flat to their bodies, and they can have anywhere between 39 to 50 dorsal rays. They are usually about 183 inches long and weigh around 1653 pounds.

Black Marlin Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Black marlin are fish that are usually found in shallow waters. They exist close to continents, coral reefs, and islands and swim around the depth of zero to 915 meters. However, most of them rarely go below 30 meters. They are found in both tropical as well as subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean as well as the Pacific Ocean and can occasionally also enter the temperate waters.

Even though the population is not known, these marine creatures haven’t yet been declared threatened or endangered.

Black Marlin Predators and Prey

Black marlins usually feed on squid, cuttlefish, octopods, fish, and large crustaceans. As these fish go after their prey, some research shows that they will attack with a fast slash of their bill, which has been compared to that of the swordfish. The only time that these fish go after tuna is when the waters that they are in have them in abundance.

The only true threat these fish have is humans, who tend to hunt down the fish to sell or to keep as a trophy. Even though they tend to be high in mercury levels, they are still fished as food as well.

Black Marlin Reproduction and Lifespan

Black marlins reproduce by external spawning. They release eggs in warm waters that later hatch to become the fish babies and rapidly grow year by year. A pregnant female can carry up to 40 million eggs, which eventually hatch after a brief gestation period.

The females are known to live for about 11 years, while the males live only for 5 years. The difference in their lifespan is due to the sex-specific mortality in these marine creatures. Interestingly, at birth, all marlins are female, changing to preserve the species.

Black Marlin in Fishing and Cooking

This fish can be caught and cooked. However, despite being edible, it has been banned in some parts of the world because its body includes a high amount of selenium and mercury content. In fact, many chefs will recommend against consuming this fish, and it is considered one of the top big fish to avoid.

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8. The Healthy, Available here: https://www.thehealthy.com/food/best-fish-to-eat-and-never-eat/