Scientific Name
Makaira nigricans
Makaira nigricans黑皮旗魚
by: W. Q. Jing
Author Lacepède, 1802 Depth 0 - 300M
Chinese 黑皮旗魚 Poisonous Fish No 
Family_Chinese 旗魚科 Economic Fish Yes 
Family F477 Istiophoridae Edible Fish Yes  Chinese In Mainland China 大西洋藍槍魚 
Max Length 500 cm  Aquarium Fish No  Common Name 黑皮仔、鐵皮、丁挽、油旗魚、鐵皮丁挽、烏皮 
Distribution in World India Ocean to Pacific Ocean   Distribution in Taiwan East、North East、LanI Is.、Greeb IS. 
Habitats Ocean、Deep Sea、Coastal  Holotype Locality Misaki, Japan 
Synonyms Histiophorus herschelii, Maikaira nigricans, Makaira ampla, Makaira ampla ampla, Makaira bermudae, Makaira ensis, Makaira herschelii, Makaira nigricans ampla, Makaira nigricans nigricans, Makaira perezi, Orthocraeros bermudae, Tetrapturus amplus, Tetrapturus herschelii ...all 14..  
Reference 臺灣魚類誌(沈等, 1993);The Live Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific, Vol.6(FAO, 2001)  LaMonte, F. etc. 1937 Conrad G. M., Monte F. L. 1937 Shapiro, S. 1938 Shapiro Sidney 1938 Sidney Shapiro 1938 Conrad, G.M. etc. 1939 Gregory, W.K. etc. 1939 Gregory William K. etc. 1939 James E. Morrow, Jr. 1959 Barlett, M.R. etc. 1968 Bartlett, M.R. 1968 Eschmeyer, W.N., H. R. Bullis, Jr. 1968 
Specimen List ASIZP0802580. FRIP22067. FRIP22320.  
Common Name Pacific blue marlin; Blue marlin fish; Blue marlin; Cuban blue marlin; Indo-Pacific blue marlin; Marlin 
Redlist Status NL Not in IUCN Redlist     
Characteristic The body is not strongly compressed. Bill long, extremely stout, and round in cross section. Nape conspicuously elevated. The height of anterior lobe of first dorsal fin less than greatest body depth. Pelvic fins shorter than the pectorals, with a poorly developed membrane, and depressible into deep ventral grooves. Caudal peduncle fairly compressed (laterally) and slightly depressed (dorsoventrally), with strong double keels on each and a shallow notch on both the dorsal and ventral surfaces. Lateral line single, following a single loop pattern, obvious in juveniles and immature fish, but obscure in adults. Body blue-black dorsally and silvery white ventrally, with about 15 rows of pale, cobalt-coloured stripes, each consisting of round dots and/or narrow bars. First dorsal fin blackish to dark blue, other fins blackish brown, sometimes tinged with dark blue; bases of first and second anal fins tinged with silvery white.
habitats The blue marlin is an epipelagic and oceanic species mostly confined to the waters on the warmer side of the 24℃ surface isotherm and known to effect seasonal north-south migrations. Not usually seen close to land masses or islands, unless there is a deep 
Distribution The blue marlin is highly migratory species, distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is the most tropical billfish species and is common in equatorial waters. 
Utility The flesh is of good quality and is marketed frozen and prepared as sashimi and sausages in Japan; also utilized fresh.