The Atlantic Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is a large member of the billfish family. These large billfish are easily recognized by their large, rigid dorsal fin and blue upper body. Marlins also have a long, broad bill (rostrum) with sharp edges which is used for slicing schools of fish such as sardines, herring, shad, minnows, and mackerel. They are a prized fish for oceanic anglers because of their large size (weighing more than 400 lbs), and because there strong and can put up a good fight when hook on a fishing line. They can be up to 16 ft or 5 meters long.
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