Makaira indicus
Pacific Black Marlin, Silver Marlin
The black marlin is distinguished from the blue and striped marlins by the short thick bill, low dorsal lobe and rigid pectoral fins which cannot be folded back against the body. Its color is blue-black above and grayish-white below. Stripes sometimes present may fade quickly after capture.
Large black marlin are known to feed on squid, scad, mackerel tuna, frigate mackerel, and tuna.
Black marlin generally exist in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Along the western Atlantic they are abundant from Argentina to Cape Cod and are occasionally found as far north as Nova Scotia.
They are a highly migratory, pelagic species that will rarely swim deeper than 100 feet. They are most commonly found in deep waters, near such prominent bottom structures as continental shelves and reefs.
Females can grow to 15 feet long and exceed 1000 pounds. Males generally are much smaller.
1560 pounds, 0 ounces (IGFA)