Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans · ma-KY-ra NY-grih-kanz
diurnalsolitaryVulnerable
EdibleUnfriendlyDangerous
Superpower
Slashes through tight bait-balls with its sword-like bill to stun several fish at once.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 300 cm, up to 500 cm
- Lifespan
- 18–28 years
- Depth
- 0–200 m
Habitat
Warm open ocean, usually above the thermocline.
Diet
Tuna, mackerel, squid and other open-water prey.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 6/10.
How to cook: Eaten as steaks or smoked; mostly a trophy sport fish.
Safety
- Dangerous2/10
The spear-like bill commands respect but rarely harms people.
Fun facts
- The blue marlin is one of the largest bony fish in the ocean.
- Females can be more than four times heavier than males.
- It uses its bill to slash through schools of prey.