Billfish
Striped Marlin
Kajikia audax
SaltwaterIstiophoridaeVulnerable
About
The Striped Marlin is a streamlined, pelagic fish characterized by its prominent dorsal fin, elongated bill (rostrum), and vibrant stripes. It is a highly migratory species known for its speed and acrobatic leaps out of the water during hunting or when hooked by anglers.
- Average size
- Up to 14 feet in length, 440 pounds
- Colors
- Dark blue to black dorsally, silvery white ventrally, with distinct vertical light blue stripes along its sides.
- Diet
- Primarily feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans.
- Region
- Found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans; in the US, it is found off the coast of California and Hawaii.