Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) fish species and information / pictures of Striped marlin - Tetrapturus audax

Striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) fish species information

Scientific Name
Tetrapturus audax

Common Name
Striped marlin

Biology
Epipelagic and oceanic species, usually found above the thermocline. Generally inhabit cooler water than either black (Makaira indica) or blue marlin (M. mazara) (Ref. 43). Most dominant and widely distributed of all billfishes. Their abundance increases with distance from the continental shelf (Ref. 6390). Usually seen close to shore only where deep drop-offs occur (Ref. 6390). Mostly solitary, but form small schools by size during the spawning season (Ref. 9987). They are usually dispersed at considerably wide distances. Feed on fishes, crustaceans and squids. Also caught with the harpoon. The flesh is the best among billfishes for sashimi and sushi. Marketed mostly frozen, sometimes fresh (Ref. 43); also smoked and frozen (Ref. 9987). Also Ref. 9137, 9574.

Classification

Classified By
Philippi, 1887
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Billfishes (Istiophoridae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: tropical, subtropical and temperate waters. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).The distribution in the Pacific Ocean is unique among billfishes and tunas in that it forms a horseshoe-shaped pattern from the northwest Pacific through the eastern Pacific to the southwest Pacific (Ref. 30443). In the Indian Ocean, fish are more densely distributed in equatorial regions with higher concentrations off eastern Africa, in the western Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and off northwestern Australia (Ref. 30444).
Range
46°N - 47°S, 19°E - 69°W

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
20 °C
Water Temperature To
25 °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
200 m
Zone
pelagic-oceanic
Environment
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 200 m (Ref. 43)
Trophic Level
4.58 s.e. 0.76 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
420 cm
Common Length
290 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5161 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
High vulnerability (56 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (rm=0.09; K=0.2-0-6; tm=2-3;)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated