Species: Makaira nigricans, Blue marlin

Makaira nigricans Lacepede, 1802

Blue marlin

Body not very compressed; bill rounded in cross section; adults with small teeth; nape very high; 1st dorsal long based, 40-45, front rays elevated into triangular lobe, height of front lobe < body depth, remainder of fin very low (height at level of mid-body < body depth), close to 2nd dorsal, 6-7; dorsal and anal fin lobes pointed; pectorals long and narrow, moveable and can be pressed against body, 18-21 rays, pectoral fin tip pointed; pelvic fins filamentous, distinctly shorter than pectoral fins; 2 keels on side of tail base; tail fin large, strongly forked; anus close to origin of anal fin; lateral line a reticulate meshwork or line with loops, often obscured in adults; body densely covered with elongate, thick bony scales with 1 (1-3) sharp points.