Home · Istiophoridae · Atlantic white marlin
Atlantic white marlin (Kajikia albida) — Istiophoridae

Atlantic white marlin

Kajikia albida
Family: Istiophoridae
LC · Least Concern

The Atlantic white marlin (Kajikia albida) is a saltwater fish of the family Istiophoridae that grows up to 300 cm.

Length
300 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–150.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Atlantic Ocean; oceanic above the thermocline.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Atlantic white marlin?

Get the app

Description

The Atlantic white marlin is a marlin (Istiophoridae) from the Atlantic Ocean. The species has a streamlined, blue-silvery body with a long, spear-like upper bill (rostrum), a high front dorsal fin and a powerful, sickle-shaped tail. It is a fast, oceanic predator that usually stays above the thermocline and migrates seasonally to higher latitudes. It hunts midwater fishes, squid and crustaceans, sometimes by slashing prey with its bill. It is a valued sport fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic white marlin?

The Atlantic white marlin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Long spear-like bill and a high dorsal fin; fast oceanic predator and valued sport fish.

Where does the Atlantic white marlin live?

The Atlantic white marlin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Atlantic Ocean; oceanic above the thermocline.

How big does the Atlantic white marlin get?

The Atlantic white marlin grows to a maximum of about 300 cm. On average the species is around 210 cm.

Is the Atlantic white marlin dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic white marlin is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Atlantic white marlin edible?

Yes, the Atlantic white marlin is commonly eaten.

More photos

Atlantic white marlin (Kajikia albida) — Istiophoridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) J Thomas McMurray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Atlantic white marlin (Kajikia albida) — Istiophoridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Tate Putman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Atlantic white marlin and live in the same waters.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Atlantic white marlin?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Atlantic white marlin is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Atlantic white marlin verified
Scientific name
Kajikia albida
Family
Istiophoridae
Other names
Atlantic white marlin; Marlin; Skilligalee; White marlin verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
300.0 verified
Average length (cm)
210.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Atlantic Ocean; oceanic above the thermocline. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Midwater fishes, squid and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Long spear-like bill and a high dorsal fin; fast oceanic predator and valued sport fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Kajikia

More from the family Istiophoridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Atlantic white marlin?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Atlantic white marlin is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Atlantic white marlin? Get the app