Marine Life

Black marlin

Kalhu mas hibaru

Makaira indica

Makaira indica can be easily distinguished from M. mazara by its rigid pectoral fins, while the superficially similar striped marlin (Tetrapturus audex) can be distinguished by its more compressed body and dorsal fin lobe which is equal to or greater than the body. Additionally, the black marlin is the largest of the billfish and is a supreme game fish.

Details

§ 01

size: Common to 3.8 m; max. 4.6 m
color: Dark blue dorsally, paler ventrally. Sometimes with faint vertical stripes.
order: Perciformes
family: Xiphidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/makaira-indica.png
habitat and biology: This species is found in the oceanic environment, inhabiting the upper layers of the water column and exhibiting a migratory behavior. It feeds on a wide range of fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.
distinctive characters: The first dorsal fin has 38-45 rays, the second dorsal fin has 6-7 rays, the first anal fin has 13-14 rays, the second anal fin has 6-7 rays, the pectoral fin has 19-23 rays, the bill is round in cross sections, the body is strongly compressed, the nape is very steep, the pectoral fins are rigid and do not naturally fold against the sides, and the body is covered by densely embedded scales.