Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Body elongated and not very compressed; upper jaw produced into a robust but not very long beak; two dorsal fins, the height of the first less then the greatest body depth, short anteriorly, taller in the middle, then becoming shorter posteriorly; pectoral fins falcate and flexible, with 21 to 23 rays; body densely covered with small, embedded scales with 1 or 2 sharp points; back dark blue, with 15 bluish bars across the flanks; belly pale silver; membrane of first dorsal fin blue black, with dark spots (Ref. 55763). Dark blue above, silvery white below; sometimes with light blue vertical stripes; 1st dorsal fin blackish to dark blue, other fins dark brown with tinges of dark blue in some specimens. Body blue-black dorsally and silvery white ventrally, with about 25 pale, cobalt-colored stripes, each consisting of round dots 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 gill rakers. 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.
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Spawning probably takes place year-round in equatorial waters to 10° latitude (although 1 study has suggested this needs verification) and during summer periods in both hemispheres to 30° latitude, in both the Indian and Pacific oceans (Ref. 6390).In the southern hemisphere, concentrations of spawning fish probably occur around French Polynesia (Ref. 30354).
Migration
provided by Fishbase
Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal soft rays (total): 40 - 45; Analsoft rays: 18 - 24; Vertebrae: 24
- Recorder
- Estelita Emily Capuli
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Acoustic tagging studies (Ref. 4683) suggest that blue marlin primarily inhabit the surface mixed layer, which is the relatively uniform layer of water between the surface and the top of the thermocline where water temperatures start to drop suddenly (Ref. 6390). Studies have also suggested that fish spend more time close to the surface at night than during the day (Ref. 6390).In the Pacific Ocean, blue marlin concentrate year-round in tropical waters, but a part of the population undertakes large seasonal movements away from equatorial waters to about 30°S (Ref. 30354). These movements, mostly undertaken by males of 35-75 kg (Ref. 30354), occur as waves in the northern and southern hemisphere summers (Ref. 6390). Fish moving into eastern Australian waters in the summertime are probably part of 1 of these migrations (Ref. 6390).Blue marlin also live year-round in the Eastern Indian Ocean between northwestern Australia, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands, with maximum concentration during the Northwest Monsoon (November to April), and between the equator and 13°S during the Southeast Monsoon (April to October) (Ref. 6390).Known to feed in and near surface waters, but sometimes take food in relatively deep waters as is shown by the presence of deep-dwelling squirrel fish (Holocentrus laeteoguttatus) in the stomachs of this species in Hawaii.
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Epipelagic and oceanic species mostly confined to the waters on the warmer side of the 24°C 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 (Ref. 43) but smaller ones form schools of about 10 individuals (Ref. 9987). Feed on squids, tuna-like fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods (Ref. 9308). Also caught with troll lines (Ref. 9308). The flesh is of good quality and is marketed frozen and prepared as sashimi and sausages in Japan (Ref. 9308); also utilized fresh (Ref. 9987). Also Ref. 9692.
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Indo-Pacific blue marlin
provided by wikipedia EN
The Indo-Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara) is a species of marlin belonging to the family Istiophoridae.[3]
Taxonomy
Makaira mazara is closely related to, and usually considered conspecific with, the Atlantic blue marlin, then simply called blue marlin.
The classification of the Indo-Pacific blue marlin (M. mazara) and the Atlantic blue marlin (M. nigricans) as separate species is under debate.[1] Genetic data suggest, although the two groups are isolated from each other, that they are both the same species, with the only genetic exchange occurring when Indo-Pacific blue marlin migrate to and contribute genes to the Atlantic population.[4] A separate study by V. P. Buonaccorsi, J. R. Mcdowell, and Graves indicated that both Indo-Pacific and Atlantic show "striking phylogeographic partitioning" of mitochondrial and microsatellite loci.[5] Some authorities still consider them both distinct.
Distribution and habitat
This species can be found throughout the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Warm currents such as the Agulhas Current in the western Indian Ocean have a major influence on their seasonal distribution. It is common in equatorial waters, but it is not usually seen close to islands and coral reefs. It is considered the most tropical billfish species.[1][6]
Description
Makaira mazara can reach a maximum length of 5 metres (16 ft), but the average is around 3.5 metres (11 ft). It can reach a weight of about 625 kilograms (1,378 lb).[1] The body is elongated but it is not very compressed, with two dorsal fins and two anal fins. The dorsal fins have a total of 40 to 45 soft rays, while the anal fins have 18 to 24 soft rays. The pectoral fins, which have 21 to 23 rays, are falcate and flexible, and can be drawn in to the sides of the body. The nape is highly elevated. The upper jaw forms a robust but not very long beak, round in cross section. The caudal peduncle shows strong double keels on each side. The body color is blue-black dorsally and silvery white ventrally, sometimes with light blue vertical stripes.[1][6]
Biology
Spawning takes place during summer in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the southern hemisphere, spawning probably occurs around French Polynesia. Makaira mazara is a highly migratory species. These marlins use their bill for inflicting wounds on their prey.[1][6]
References
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^ a b c d e f Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2015). "Makaira mazara" in FishBase. April 2015 version.
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^ "Makaira mazara". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
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^ "Fooduniversity.com website: Pacific Blue Marlin". Archived from the original on 2018-07-06. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
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^ J. E. Graves (1998), "Molecular Insights Into the Population Structures of Cosmopolitan Marine Fishes", Journal of Heredity, 89 (5): 427–437, doi:10.1093/jhered/89.5.427, archived from the original on 2013-04-15, see page 429.
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^ V. P. Buonaccorsi; J. R. Mcdowell & J. E. Graves (2001), "Reconciling patterns of inter-ocean molecular variance from four classes of molecular markers in blue marlin (Makaira nigricans)", Molecular Ecology, 10 (5): 1179–1196, doi:10.1046/j.1365-294X.2001.01270.x, PMID 11380876.
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^ a b c Izumi Nakamura Billfishes of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date FAO species catalogue. Vol.5.
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Indo-Pacific blue marlin: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Indo-Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara) is a species of marlin belonging to the family Istiophoridae.
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- Wikipedia authors and editors
Description
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Epipelagic and oceanic species mostly confined to the waters on the warmer side of the 24°C 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. Remains mostly within the upper 37 m. Believed to form small-scale schools of at most 10 individuals. Larger fish tend to swim solitarily (Ref. 43) but smaller ones form schools of about 10 individuals (Ref. 9987). Feeds on squids, tuna-like fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods (Ref. 9308). Also caught with troll lines (Ref. 9308). The flesh is of good quality and is marketed frozen and prepared as sashimi and sausages in Japan (Ref. 9308); also utilized fresh (Ref. 9987).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly (Editors). (2023). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. version (02/2023).
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