BILLFISH SPECIES
IDENTIFICATION Drawings provided by: The Carey Chen Collection careychen.com
Blue Marlin Makaira Nigricans Dark blue to chocolate brown body along the back and upper sides, changing to silvery white on the belly. On the sides there are approximately 15 pale blue vertical bars. Blue Marlin may be distinguished from White Marlin by the dorsal and anal fins and by the fish’s size. The dorsal and anal fins of Blue Marlin are pointed, whereas White Marlin have rounded fins. The first dorsal fin of the Blue Marlin is much shorter relative to the body depth when compared to that of the White Marlin. Any marlin caught off the southeastern United States weighing over 150 pounds is almost certainly a Blue Marlin.
White Marlin Tetrapturus Albidus The most characteristic feature of the White Marlin is the rounded, rather than pointed, tips of the pectoral fins, first dorsal fin and first anal fin. The body is dark blue to chocolate along the upper half and brownish to silvery white along the lower sides and belly. The first dorsal fin is blue-black and covered with many small black spots. The other fins are brown-black. Unlike Blue Marlin, the White Marlin usually has no spots or bars on the sides. The White Marlin has a clearly visible lateral line. Usually less than 100 lbs. with a majority in the 40-60 lb. range. In comparison, the Blue Marlin has pointed fins, and the lateral line is not evident.
Sailfish
Istiophorus Platypterus
Not Pictured:
Longbill Spearfish
Sailfish are dark blue along the upper half of the body, fading to brownish-blue on the lower sides to silver white on the belly. The first dorsal fin is high, sail-like, blueblack, and covered with many small black spots. All related billfishes have a high dorsal fin as juveniles, but only the Sailfish retains the high fin throughout life. The other fins are silver-blue. On the sides are 15-20 vertical bars consisting of several small blue spots. The majority of Sailfish caught off the North Carolina coast range from 20 to 50 lbs.
Tetrapturus pfluegeri Spearfish, Hatchet Marlin The Longbill, which attains a length of 6-1/2 feet, may be distinguished from the more common White and Blue Marlins by the slender body, the number of rays in the two dorsal fins (44 to 50; and 6 or 7), and the close proximity of the anus to the origin of the first anal fin. The body is dark blue dorsally, brownish-white along the sides, and silvery on the belly; overall it lacks conspicuous vertical bars. The first dorsal fin is blue-black and unspotted. thebigrock.com/kids
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