       |
|
Blue Marlin | Longbill Spearfish| Sailfish | White Marlin
| Description: color cobalt blue on top shading to
silvery white on bottom; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; dorsal fin and pointed at
front end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral line reticulated (interwoven like a
net), difficult to see in large specimens; no dark spots on dorsal fin; body covered with
embedded scales ending in one or two sharp points. Similar fish: white marlin, T. albidus (white has rounded dorsal at front end, rounded tip of pectoral and anal fins, and spots on dorsal fin). |
 |
| Where found: OFFSHORE, a blue water fish. Size: largest of the Atlantic marlins, common to 11 feet, known to exceed 2,000 pounds. |
Remarks: all of trophy size are females; males do
not exceed 300 pounds; make trans-Atlantic migrations; spawning procedures unknown; feeds
on squid and pelagic fishes, including blackfin tuna and frigate mackerel. Florida record 980 lbs., 8 ozs. |
Top | Index | LCPGA Home
| Description: color of body dark blue, shading to
silvery, white underneath; dorsal fin bluish, others brown-black; two dorsal fins, the
first lengthy, its front forming a peak; two anal fins, the anus well in front of the
first; upper jaw prolonged into spear, its cross section round. Similar fish: white marlin, Tetrapterus albidus. |
 |
| Where found: OFFSHORE in deep water. Size: relatively small species. |
Remarks: uncommon; available data indicate that the
spearfish matures at 2 years of age, and rarely lives past 4 to 5 years; they are pelagic,
and feed at or near the surface, mainly on fishes and squid; named for Al Pflueger, Sr.,
founder of Pflueger Taxidermy. Florida record 61 lbs., 8 ozs. |
Top | Index | LCPGA Home
| Description: color dark blue on top, brown-blue
laterally, silvery white underbelly; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; first dorsal
greatly enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black spots, its front squared off,
highest at its midpoint; pelvic fins very narrow, reaching almost to the anus; body
covered with imbedded scales, blunt at end; lateral line curved over pectoral, then
straight to base of tail. Similar fish: white marlin, T. albidus; young blue marlin, M. nigricans (spectacular sail-like dorsal of sailfish is most notable difference). |
 |
| Where found: OFFSHORE species, in south Florida
associated with waters near the Gulf Stream; off the Panhandle near the 100-fathom line. Size: common to 7 feet. |
Remarks: rapid growing species, reaching 4 to 5
feet in a single year; swims at speeds up to 50 knots; feeds on the surface or at
mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid. Florida record 116 lbs. |
Top | Index | LCPGA Home
| Description: color of body dark blue to chocolate
brown, shading to silvery white underbelly; noticeable spots on dorsal fin; upper jaw
elongated in shape of spear; body covered with imbedded scales with a single sharp point;
tips of first dorsal, pectoral, and fist anal fins rounded; lateral line curved above
pectoral fin, then going in straight line to base of tail. Similar fish: blue marlin, M. nigricans. |
 |
| Where found: OFFSHORE, a blue water fish. Size: common to 8 feet. |
Remarks: uses its bill to stun fast-moving fishes,
then turns to consume them; spawning procedures unknown; ranges throughout the Atlantic
and Caribbean; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes. Florida record 161 lbs. |
Top | Index | LCPGA Home
This page last updated
Friday, August 04, 2006 11:15:55.
For questions or concerns, kindly email
webmaster@fishsanibel.com.