Common names
Beak, Beakie, Beaky, High-finned Spearfish, New Zealand Marlin, Stripey
Striped marlin
Kajikia audax
- Saltwater
- Least concern
Max length165.25 in
Common length114.25 in
Length typeLower Jaw
Max weight970 lb 1 oz
Depth range0 - 656 ft
Max age9 years
Water typeSaltwater
Water temperature68 - 77 °F
Fish info
IUCN Vulnerability status
Short description
The striped marlin is a large, torpedo-shaped billfish with an elongated, slightly compressed body. It is dark blue on the upper body with a silvery-white underside. Approximately 20 vertical cobalt blue bars or narrow dotted bands run along the sides but do not extend onto the belly. These stripes are created by specialized pigment cells that can contract or expand, allowing the markings to shift from blue to a lavender hue when the fish is excited. The first dorsal fin is tall and dark blue, often as high as or higher than the body depth, while the remaining fins are usually brown. Pectoral fins are long, narrow, and pointed, and can be folded flat against the body. Scales are elongated and ossified with one or two points in adults. The jaws and palatine bones are armed with fine, file-like teeth.
Habitat
A strongly oceanic species, striped marlin rarely enter coastal waters. They are most commonly found near oceanic islands, seamounts, and major current boundaries where feeding and spawning activity is concentrated.
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Occurs throughout tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. It is the most widely distributed billfish species globally and is widespread throughout Australian waters.
Behaviour
Striped marlin are apex predators and a highly migratory species. They are epipelagic hunters, feeding primarily during daylight hours in the upper 100 metres of the water column, often close to the surface. Their diet consists mainly of schooling fishes such as sardines and other pelagic forage species, as well as crustaceans and squid. They are generally solitary, but during spawning season they may form small schools of similarly sized individuals. Outside of breeding periods, individuals are widely dispersed across open ocean habitats.
Edibility
Striped marlin are regarded as the finest-eating of all marlin species. The flesh is tender with a distinctive flavour similar to swordfish but more pronounced. It is highly prized for sashimi and sushi, with natural flesh coloration ranging from light pink to deep orange-red.
Lure suggestion
Effective methods include trolling skirted lures in the 6–10 inch range, particularly in colours such as green over black and combinations of orange, brown, and black, sometimes accented with red or silver. If a marlin rises to a lure but does not hook up, anglers often deploy a lively bridled live bait on a circle hook. Other productive techniques include slow-trolling live or dead baits, faster trolling with lures and spreader bars, soaking live baits at depths of 50–100 feet, and targeting surface-feeding fish. Typical spreads include two lures or ballyhoo paired with squid teaser chains. Good bait: small tuna, mackerel, sardines, menhaden, squid and sardines.