Did you know that the activity of fishing is not just a livelihood but also a sport? Recreational anglers catch fish not just to consume, but for the thrill of the chase and the challenge of fighting against heavy weight fish that test their abilities to the fullest.
High on every angler’s dream ‘game fish’ list is the black marlin. These fish grow up to 5 m in length and can weigh up to 750 kg! In fishermen’s language a marlin that weighs more than 450 kg is called a ‘grander’. Also, any marlin heavier than 200 kg is usually a female.
But don’t let all that bulk fool you. A black marlin is possibly the fastest creature on earth (except for the peregrine falcon). It reaches an astonishing speed of more than 125 km/h! That’s faster than a cheetah! It is able to reach such speeds due to its spindle-shaped body, which is wider in the middle and tapered at the ends. It has a highly rigid crescent-shaped tail which acts like a motor powering it through the water. It also has a spear-like snout or bill that helps it cleave through the water.
One of the top predators of the seas, this fish feeds on tuna, cuttlefish, squid, mackerel and octopus. The black marlin is an elusive fish and is found only in the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. These speedsters are hard to hook and even harder to reel in. Usually epic battles are fought by the marlin and the angler till one wins; and it’s not always the angler! The black marlin is yet to be evaluated by the IUCN as there is little data regarding them.
Picture Credit : Google
