Page 120 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Atlantic

blue marlin

One of the fastest fish in the ocean, this

ferocious fish is armed with a dagger to warn
away predators and intimidate inferiors

Named after its preference for deep, a meal. Research shows that these
open ocean, the Alantic blue marlin marlins eat over 45 different prey
can be found at depths of over species, and around 40 per-cent of
400 metres (1,300 feet), though prey sustain injuries from the sharp
typically it doesn’t stray below spear. More than 80 per-cent of
200 metres (650 feet). The only those received slashing injuries and
predators a marlin has to fear are almost 10 per-cent were sliced in
large oceanic sharks like the tiger two. Marlins tend to spear prey and
shark, and the humans that seek to then shake their head violently before

hook it. Menacing hooks attached to engulfing their meal, especially when

floats snake behind fi shing vessels, hunting fast-swimming shoaling

even through the night when the fish. Slow-moving, solitary
marlin spends most of its time at the prey doesn’t usually
surface. They are attracted to the bait require impaling, and
and get caught, even if they aren’t is simply attacked

the fishery’s target species. out of the
It’s a tough life being a large fi sh, blue.
but thankfully the marlin has a not-
so-secret weapon. The long, pointed
rostrum or beak helps the fi sh secure

ALTANTIC BLUE MARLIN
Makaira nigricans
Class Actinopterygii

Territory The Atlantic ocean

Diet Bony fish and squid
Lifespan 15 years
Adult weight Up to 818 kg 3 things you
(1,803 lb)
Conservation Status need to know
about marlins
VULNERABLE
Stripes Females are up to four times

Billfishes, like the blue marlin, as large as males, and all
have the ability to rapidly trophy catches are females
change the colour of the
stripes along their sides. This A blue marlin can travel
could be to startle predators 5,556 kilometres (3,000
or be invisible to prey.
nautical miles) in a mere
90 days
Marlins have an organ that
© Thinkstock warm to help it see and think
keeps its eyes and brain
as clearly as possible

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