Animal Species:Black Marlin, Makaira indica (Cuvier, 1832)
The Black Marlin is a well known commercial and recreational fishing species. The species occurs in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and sometimes also found in temperate waters. It uses its bill to slash prey before swallowing it.
A Black Marlin off the Pacific coast of Panama
Julian Pepperell
© Julian Pepperell
Identification
The Black Marlin has an elongate body with a stout bill, that in cross section is rounded. It has two dorsal fins, two anal fins, a lunate caudal fin and two strong keels on the side of the caudal peduncle. The pelvic fins can be depressed into a groove. The pectoral fins stick out from the side of the body and cannot be depressed. The Black Marlin is dark blue above, silvery below and usually lacks any markings.
Size range
The species grows to over 4.48 m in length and over 700 kg.
Similar Species
The Black marlin looks similar to the Blue Marlin. Unlike the pectoral fins of the Blue Marlin, those of the Black Marlin cannot be depressed.
Distribution
The Black Marlin occurs in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Individuals are occasionally found in the Atlantic Ocean. These are presumed to have migrated around the Cape of Good Hope.
The species is sometimes also found in temperate waters.
Its distribution encompasses all Australian marine waters.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Ozcam map of Black Marlin specimens in the Australian Museum.
Feeding and Diet
Food items consist largely of other large fast swimming fishes such as tunas, mackerels, trevallies, and swordfish. Less important foods include other fishes, squids, and large crustaceans. Analysis of stomach contents indicate that the Black Marlin uses its bill to slash prey before it is swallowed.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Like all the other fishes in the family Istiophoridae, the Black Marlin is a very fast swimmer.
Economic/social impacts
The Black Marlin is a well known commercial and recreational fishing species. In areas of north-eastern Australia, Peru and Ecuador, sportfishing for Black Marlin by trolling is an important industry.
Classification
- Species:
- indica
- Genus:
- Makaira
- Family:
- Istiophoridae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Nakamura, I. 1985. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 5. Billfishes of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. No. 125 (5): i-iv, 1-65.
Mark McGrouther
, Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:
Tags fish, ichthyology, Black Marlin, Makaira indica, pelagic, Istiophoridae, fishes, > 2m, marine, black, blue, silver, countershaded,
