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Marlin

Istiophoridae

Description:

A marlin is a fish from the family Istiophoridae. It has an elongated body, a spear-like snout or bill, and a long, rigid dorsal fin which extends forward to form a crest. Its common name is thought to derive from its resemblance to a sailor's marlinspike. Even more so than their close relatives, the scombrids, marlins are fast swimmers, reaching speeds of about 80 km/h (50 mph). The larger species include the Atlantic blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, which can reach 5 m (16.4 ft) in length and 818 kg (1,803 lb) in weight and the black marlin, Istiompax indica, which can reach in excess of 5 m (16.4 ft) in length and 670 kg (1,480 lb) in weight. They are popular sporting fish in tropical areas.

Notes:

Saw this during the annual sardine migration, also referred to Sardine Run

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AlbertKang
Spotted by
AlbertKang

Port St Johns Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Spotted on Jul 10, 2013
Submitted on Jun 4, 2014

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