Large ocean predators with a spear-like bill and a long, rigid dorsal fin. The biggest, the Atlantic blue marlin and the black marlin, can reach 5 m and 670–820 kg. They are among the fastest fish, but popular speed claims are exaggerated. Blue and white marlins are endangered by overfishing.
Quick answers
What is it?Fish
Carnivore?Yes
Dangerous?Can be
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Daytime
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?Yes
Caught by commercial fishers, directly and as bycatch in tuna fisheries.
At a glance
Found inOceans
HabitatOpen ocean
ColoursBlue, Silver
SizeHuge
LengthBlue and black marlins: up to about 5 m
WeightBlue marlin up to 820 kg; black marlin up to 750 kg
LegsNone
Covered inScales
Lives alone
Lives for15–30 years
Can swim
Lays eggs
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Warm open oceans; the blue marlin ranges from about 45°N to 35°S in the Atlantic.
Did you know
Among the fastest fish, though the famous speed claims are exaggerated: likely under 45 mph.
Marlins can change colour, lighting up their stripes just before they attack prey.
A female blue marlin can release over seven million eggs at once.
Often confused with
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A photo, a few hints, one guess. Same 438 animals.
