Family BILL FISHES

Color cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; dorsal fin pointed at front end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral line reticulated (interwoven like a net), difficult to see in large specimens; no dark spots on dorsal fin; body covered with imbedded scales ending in one or two sharp points.

Similar fish: White Marlin, T Albidus (white has rounded dorsal at front end, rounded tip of pectoral and anal fins, and spots on the dorsal fin).

Where found: OFFSHORE, a bluewater fish.

Size: Largest of the Atlantic Marlins, common to 11 feet.

Remarks: All of the trophy sixe are females; males do not exceed 300 pounds; make trans-Atalantic migrations; spawning procedures unknown; feeds on squid and pelagic fishes, including blackfin tuna and frigate mackerel

Florida record: 1046 lbs.