Family: Istiophoridae, Billfishes view all from this family

Description To 13'5" (5 m); 692 lbs (313.8 kg). Slender, elongate, compressed posteriorly; snout elongate, forms spear; dark blue above, silvery below, dark blue bars on sides. Pectoral fins fold back along sides; pelvic fins much longer than pectoral fins; first dorsal fin falcate, anterior height equal to or greater than body depth, anterior spines and rays much longer than posterior spines. Scales present; lateral line single.

Related Species Shortbill Spearfish (T. angustirostris) has short spear, lower jaw more than two-thirds length of upper; length of middle rays of dorsal fin about equal to body depth; occurs from Cape Mendocino, California, to Chile.

Similar Species Black Marlin (Makaira indica) has rigid, pectoral fins. Blue Marlin (M. nigricans) has pelvic fins shorter than pectoral fins; dorsal fin height less than body depth; chainlike lateral line.

Habitat Surface and mid-depth in open seas.

Range From Oregon to Chile.

Discussion Striped Marlins spawn from May to August in the northern Pacific. These greatly prized game fishes feed on Jack Mackerels, flyingfishes, sauries, sardines, and squids. A small, highly specialized sport fishery for the Striped Marlin has existed off southern California since the early 1900s. It is also an excellent food fish.