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Striped Marlin

Striped Marlin

Kajikia audax

Quick Facts

Scientific name Kajikia audax

Other names Beak, Beaky, High Finned Spearfish, New Zealand Marlin, Stripey

Size Up to 4.2 m (13.7 ft)

Weight Up to 200 kg (440 lb)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Coastal waters near islands, reefs & seamounts

Depth Range

Interesting Info

Like most marlin, the Striped Marlin is a migratory species preferring tropical and temperate waters and can be found to depths of 289 m (948 ft).
They are a apex predator using their bill to stun prey prior to swallowing them. Diet consists of various baitfish, smaller tunas, squid & crustaceans.
The lifespan of Striped Marlin is estimate to 10 years with maturity between 2-3 years.
They are typically a solitary species but do form small schools during spawning season.
They are a highly prized sports fish for anglers around the world.
Main predators of Striped Marlin include large sharks, toothed whales & anglers.

Species Interaction

Recreational & Commercial Fishing

Striped Marlin are a highly targeted sports fish, known for their strong fight and taste. They are fished commercially as they are considered the best tasting of the marlin species. Whilst they are located throughout Australia, they are more common in Eastern Australian waters.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Istiophoriformes

Family: Istiophoridae

Genus: Kajikia

Species: Kajikia audax

Conservation Status

Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Striped Marlin are currently categorised as “Near Threatened”(NT).

NT is a high risk category on the scale for risk with “Extinct”(EX) being the highest.

Fish Taste Quality

Striped Marlin are considered the best tasting of the marline species – They are highly priced as sashimi in Japan and good on the grill, baked or smoked.

Taste Rating: 3/5