| Makaira
mazara
(Jordan
& Snyder, 1901) |
|
| Family: |
Istiophoridae
(Billfishes) |
 |
| Order: |
Perciformes
|
| Class: |
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) |
| FishBase name: |
Indo-Pacific blue marlin |
| Max. size: |
16.4 ft TL max.weight: 2000 lb; max. reported age: 28
years |
| Environment: |
pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth range - 130
ft |
| Climate: |
subtropical; 21; 45°N - 45°S |
| Importance: |
fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes |
| Resilience: |
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14
years |
Distribution:
Gazetteer
|
Throughout tropical, subtropical and sometimes
temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific . It is the most tropical
billfish species and is common in equatorial waters. However, many
scientists do not view M. mazara and M. nigricans as
distinct species, and that the latter species has been considered a single
pantropical occurring in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean Oceans.
Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the
Sea . |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal
soft
rays (total): 40-45; Anal
soft
rays: 18-24; Vertebrae
: 24-24. Body blue-black dorsally and silvery white ventrally, with about
25 pale, cobalt-colored stripes, each consisting of round dots and/or
narrow bars (may not always be visible especially in preserved specimens).
Bill long, extremely stout and round in cross section. Nape conspicuously
elevated. Right and left branchiostegal membranes completely united
together, but free from isthmus. No gillrakers. Body densely covered with
elongate, thick, bony scales, each often with 1 or 2, sometimes 3,
posterior points. Caudal peduncle with strong double keels on each side
and a shallow notch on both the dorsal and ventral surfaces. |
| Biology: |
Epipelagic and oceanic species mostly confined to
the waters on the warmer side of the 86°F surface isotherm and known to
effect seasonal north-south migrations. Not usually seen close to land
masses or islands, unless there is a deep drop-off of the shelf. Remain
mostly within the upper 37 m. Believed to form small-scale schools of at
most 10 individuals. Larger fish tend to swim solitarily but
smaller ones form schools of about 10 individuals . Feed on
squids, tuna-like fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods . Also
caught with troll lines . The flesh is of good quality and is
marketed frozen and prepared as sashimi and sausages in Japan;
also utilized fresh). |
| Red List Status: |
Not in IUCN Red List |
| Dangerous: |
harmless |
