Istophoridae+-+Caggiano

Atlantic Blue Marlin

__** Classification Binomial Name **__


 * Animalia Makaira Nignicans
 * Chordata
 * Actinopterygii
 * Perciformes
 * Istophoridae
 * Makaira
 * Minigricans

__** The Family of the Blue Marlin **__



The Blue Marlin comes from the family Istophondae, which is mainly made up of different types of marlins. Some examples of this family are the Sailfish, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Atlantic and Pacific Blue Marlin, and more! Istophordae are animals that are water dwelling with a long body, a spear snout or bill, and a long rigid dorsal fin.

__** Movement **__

The Atlantic Blue Marlin is one of the fastest fish in the world. The Atlantic Blue Marlin has two dorsal fins. The dorsal fins are located on the top of the marlin. The larger dorsal fin is near the head and slopes steeply, while the other is small and more near the tail end. The caudal fin is the tail fin which assists in the fish’s speed. The pelvic fins allow the marlin to move up and down in the water, improving its hydrodynamics. These are located below the pectoral fins, which are near the gills.

__** What Do They Eat **__

As a newborn larva, the Atlantic Blue Marlin eats zoo plankton and other fish eggs. As it starts to mature and grow, it feasts upon a larger variety of fish, including scombrids, mackerel, juvenile inshore fish, squid, tuna, white marlin, and other deep fish as well.

__** How Do They Eat **__

How the Atlantic Blue Marlin eats is not exactly known. Although a Japanese study in 2001 found many of the contents of the prey within marlin stomachs to have had slashing, spearing, and other injuries that were presumably thought to have been caused by the bill. This would suggest that marlins spear their prey first, then it feeds off it.

__** Reproduction **__

During late summer and fall, the Atlantic Blue Marlins start breeding. While females lay over 7 million eggs at once, few larva actually make it to maturity.

__** Growth and Development **__ Larvas reach sexual maturity by ages 2-4. Planktonic young (Figure A) first drift freely in the oceans pelagic zone. Then, at larva stage (Figure B) they start to inhabit the West Central Atlantic near Georgia. Next, they reach adolescence (Figure C) where the first dorsal fin is larger and concave. By age 2-4, they become mature Atlantic Blue Marlins.

__** Adaptation to Its Environment **__

Atlantic Blue Marlins adapt to their environment in a few ways. Atlantic Blue Marlins migrate often. They use their speed in the ocean to their advantage, whether it is fleeing from predators or catching prey. They also have many parasites that lay on them, which in a way serves as a defense mechanism.

The Atlantic Blue Marlin is an extremely amazing creature, which fishermen and people of all ages are fascinated by! Sources: [] [] []