The black marlin (Istiompax indica) is a species of marlin found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.[2] With a maximum published length of 4.65 m (15.3 ft) and weight of 750 kg (1,650 lb),[2] it is one of the largest marlins and also one of the largest bony fish. Marlin are among the fastest fish, but speeds are often wildly exaggerated in popular media, such as reports of 132 km/h (82 mph).[3] Recent research suggests a burst speed of 36 kilometres per hour (22 mph) is near the maximum rate.[4] Black marlin are fished commercially and are also a highly prized game fish. Black marlins have been known to drag Maldivian fishing boats of the ancient times for very long distances until it got tired; and then it would then take many hours for the fishermen to row or sail back home.[5]

Black marlin
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Istiophoriformes
Family:	Istiophoridae
Genus:	Istiompax Whitley, 1931
Species:	I. indica
Binomial name
Istiompax indica (G. Cuvier, 1832)
Synonyms
List Tetrapturus indicus G. Cuvier, 1832 Istiomax indicus (G. Cuvier, 1832) Istiompax indicus (G. Cuvier, 1832) Makaira indica (G. Cuvier, 1832) Tetrapterus australis (sic) Macleay, 1854 Makaira australis (Macleay, 1854) Tetrapturus australis Macleay, 1854 Histiophorus brevirostris (sic) Playfair, 1867 Istiompax brevirostris (Playfair, 1867) Makaira brevirostris (Playfair, 1867) Tetrapturus brevirostris (Playfair, 1867) Makaira marlina D. S. Jordan & Hill, 1926 Istiompax marlina (D. S. Jordan & Hill, 1926) Makaira ampla marlina D. S. Jordan & Hill, 1926 Makaira marlina marlina D. S. Jordan & Hill, 1926 Makaira nigricans marlina D. S. Jordan & Hill, 1926 Marlina marlina (D. S. Jordan & Hill, 1926) Istiompax australis Whitley, 1931 Makaira nigricans tahitiensis Nichols & La Monte, 1935 Makaira ampla tahitiensis Nichols & La Monte, 1935 Makaira marlina tahitiensis Nichols & La Monte, 1935 Makaira mazara tahitiensis Nichols & La Monte, 1935 Istiompax dombraini Whitley, 1954 Makaira xantholineata Deraniyagala, 1956

Taxonomy

French naturalist Georges Cuvier described the black marlin in 1832 as Tetrapturus indicus.

Description

Compared to striped or white marlins and sailfish, black marlins are more solid than their blue counterparts. They have a shorter bill and a rounder and lower dorsal fin. Black marlin may be distinguished from all other marlin species by their rigid pectoral fins, which, especially from a weight of around 68 kilograms (150 lb), are unable to be pressed flat against their sides but can be tilted further backwards for reduced drag. ^{[citation needed]}

Distribution

The species occurs in the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific, with uncommon movements into temperate waters, and rare reports from the Atlantic.[2]

Diet

Diet mostly consists of various fish and cephalopods. They may eat tuna, mackerel, snake mackerel, flying fish, squid, crustaceans, octopus, etc.[2]

See also

• Billfish in the Indian Ocean

References

• Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8

На других языках

[ru] Чёрный марлин