Introduction - Black Marlin
Making the list of the ten fastest animals in the world is the speedy Black Marlin. It is the fastest fish in the world and can swim faster than the incredibly fast cheetah can run. This fish can reach amazing speeds of up to 80 miles per hour (129 km/h) which is estimated by the speed in which they can unwind a fishing line once hooked. Its size and speed make it one of the most sought after fish for sports fisherman. On this page is a list of interesting facts about the Black Marlin. Information on this page includes where they can be found, what they eat, and why they are called Black Marlins.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about the fastest animals in the world.
Black Marlin Basic Facts
- The scientific name for the black marlin is Istiompax indica.
- This fish are mainly found in the warm tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are usually found near land masses and close to coral reefs as opposed to wide-open areas of water.
- Due to their huge size and appearance Black Marlins are a very popular game fish among sport fisherman.
- Besides being a prized game fish these animals are also fished for commercially.
- These fish can migrate long distances. One Black Marlin was tracked traveling from Australia to the coast of Costa Rica; a distance of 9,045 miles (14,556.5 km).
- The lifespan of a Black Marlin can reach 25 years.
- The Black Marlin's diet includes squids, scads, mackerel, cuttlefishes, octopuses and other small fish.
- These speedy fish have been recorded diving to depths of over 2,000 feet (610 meters) but usually do not dive below 600 feet (183 meters).
- These fish are rarely dangerous to humans but on rare occasion have been known to attack fishing boats with their long sharp bill.
- The Black Marlin is named black due to the fact that is the color they turn when dead.
Black Marlin Physical Characteristics
- Black Marlins are dark blue on top and white on the underside.
- Perhaps their best known feature is their long, pointed bill.
- These fish can reach lengths of 15.3 feet (4.65 meters).
- Black Marlins are one of the largest species of marlins; they can reach a weight of 1,650 pounds (750 kilograms). Females are slightly larger than males.
- Unlike other Marlins the Black Marlin has rigid pectoral fins. The pectoral fins are a pair of fins located on both sides of the fish directly behind its head.
- These marlins have two keels, one on each side of the tail base.
- Black Marlins look a lot like Blue Marlins however they have several differences including a comparatively lower and rounded dorsal fin, more rigid pectoral fins, and usually lack the stripes along the body found on the Blue Marlin.