Marlin-billfish
Marlin belong to the billfish or Istiophoridae family. Billfish are deep sea/ocean fish which are commercially fished. They are also desirable candidates for extreme fishing or sports fishing. About ten species of billfish are of interest to anglers:
- Pacific Blue Marlin
- Atlantic Blue Marlin
- Black Marlin
- White Marlin
- Striped Marlin
- Atlantic Sailfish
- Indo-Pacific Sailfish
- Longbill Spearfish
- Shortbill Spearfish
- Swordfish
Marlin have a a significant dorsal fin and a long upper jaw. Its spear can be lethal, especially to its prey which consists of squid and schools of smaller fish. For this reason, they are one of the top predators of the sea.
Overall, marlin is a very strong fish, and spends most of its life (ranging up to 20 years in males and up to 30 years in females) in the deep seas. Depending on the type of marlin, you can find them in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian ocean, following warmer currents. They are migratory fish, so the marlin can swim for thousands of miles.
The snout of a typical swordfish is flat, whereas that of a marlin is round.
- Santa Catalina Island Marlin Image:Bing at Avalon.png|<center
August 30, 1952, Santa Catalina Island
