Tag: White Marlin

White Marlin Species name: Tetrapturus albidus (Poey 1860) Synonyms for use: Kajikia albida (Poey, 1860) ICCAT species code: WHM ICCAT names: White needle (Spanish), Makaire Blanc (French), White Marlin (English) Nakamura (1985) classified the white needle as follows: Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Superclass: Gnathostomata Class: Osteichthyes Subclass: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Suborder: Xiphioidei Family: Istiophoridae White Marlin (Kajikia albida), also known as Atlantic White Marlin, marlin, skilligalee, is a species of billfish that lives in the epipelagic zone of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean.  They prefer warm surface temperatures greater than 22 °C. Identification There is the possibility of confusing the White Marlin with the Swordfish. As described in the name, the round-scale swordfish has a round broadband front end of its scales. The white needle scales are more rigid and rounded in the posterior region of the scale. Taxonomy and evolution In 1860, Felipe Poey gave the White Marlin the name Tetrapturus albidus. This classification places the species in the same genus as shortbill spearfish, Mediterranean spearfish, roundscale spearfish, and longbill spearfish. Researchers have identified fossils from the genus Tetrapturus dating back to the Langhian Age 15 million years ago (Mya).  Appearance and anatomy The largest White Marlin reported was: Size: 2.8 m (9.2 feet) Weight: 82 kg (180.8 lb) The coloring of White Marlin is used as countershading, with a dark blue dorsal side and a dirty white ventral side. Though all White Marlin have the same coloring pattern, they are sexually dimorphic, with the females usually larger. One of the most noticeable features of  White Marlin is the dorsal fin, which extends along the majority of the dorsal portion of its body. The dorsal fin consists of typically 28 to 46 rays. White Marlin have a set of similar pectoral fins and pelvic fins. Feeding and diet Within your