Usually above the thermocline. Its distribution varies seasonally, reaching higher latitudes in both the northern and southern hemispheres only during the respective warm seasons. Usually found in deep (over 100 m) blue water with surface temperatures over 22°C and salinities of 35 to 37 ppt. Currents of 0.5 to 2 knots occur over much of its habitat. Feeds on fishes and squids. Females grow larger . Flesh is of excellent quality. Marketed fresh and frozen.
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 43 - 52; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 17 - 23. Blue-black above, silvery white and splattered with brown on the sides, silvery white below; sometimes with more than 15 rows of obscure whitish stripes; 1st dorsal fin dark blue with black dots; 2nd dorsal fin dark blue; pectorals blackish brown, with tinges of silvery white in some specimens; pelvic fins blue-black with a black fin membrane; caudal fin blackish brown.: elongated.
Behavioural data for Atlantic white marlin is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Atlantic white marlin is currently being compiled.
Migrates into subtropical waters to spawn, with peak spawning occurring in early summer. The spawning areas are found in deep and blue oceanic waters, generally at high temperatures ranging from 20° to 29°C except in the southern Atlantic gyrals, and high surface salinities (over 35 ppt).
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 150 m , usually 0 - 100 m . Subtropical; 22°C - ? ; 47°N - 45°S, 99°W - 27°E Atlantic Ocean: roughly from 45°N to 45°S in the southwestern Atlantic and 35°S in the southeastern Atlantic.
fishes and squids
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Atlantic white marlin · Atlantic white marlin, White Marlin · Marlin · Skilligalee · White marlin |
| 🌍AFR | Atlantiese Witmarlyn |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | مرلين أبيض أطلسي |
| 🏳️Catalan | Marlí blanc |
| 🌍CES | marlín bělavý |
| 🇩🇪German | Weißer Marlin (Atlantik) · weißer Marlin |
| 🌍ELL | Marlinos Atlantikou |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | valkomarliini |
| 🇫🇷French | Espadon · Makaire blanc · Makaire blanc de l'Atlantique |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Augghia peddirina · Augghia pilligrina · Marlin bianco |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | ニシマカジキ |
| 🇰🇷Korean | 백새치 |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | witte marlijn |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Espadim-branco-do-Atlântico · agulhão-branco · marlim-branco |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Атлантический белый копьеносец |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Aguja Blanca · Aguja Blanca del Atlántico · Aguja de Costa · Aguja de Paladar · Alfiler · Alton · Blanca · Cabezona · Cometa · Pez Aguja · marlin blanco |
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamontella albida | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Makaira albida | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Makaira lessonae | Canestrini | 1861 | Synonym |
| Terapturus albidus | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Tetrapterus albidus | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Tetrapturus albidus | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Tetrapturus lessonae | Canestrini | 1861 | Synonym |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 13 records indexed .
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