Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

White Marlin

WHITE MARLIN - Tetrapterus albidus Family Istiophoridae, BILLFISHES

Description: color of body dark blue to chocolate brown, shading to slivery white underbelly; noticeable spots on dorsal fin; upper jaw elongated in shape of a spear; body covered with imbedded scales with a single sharp point; tips of first dorsal, pectoral, and first anal fins rounded; lateral line curved above pectoral fin then going in straight line to base of tail.
Similar fish: blue marlin, M. nigricans.
Where found: OFFSHORE, a bluewater fish.
Size: common to 8 feet.
Remarks: uses its bill to stun fast-moving fishes, then turns to consume them; spawning procedures unknown; ranges throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes.