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KNOW YOUR FISH
FISH IDENTIFICATION CHARTS The images featured in this section are courtesy of Sport Fish of
the Atlantic. Copies of this book are available in both marinas at
Sunset Provisions and the Ocean City Fishing Center.
BLUE MARLIN [ Makaira Nigricans ] SWORDFISH [ Xiphias Gladius ] ALBACORE TUNA [ Thunnus Alalunga ] ATLANTIC BONITO [ Sarda Sarda ]
n Body is blue-black above, with a silvery white underside n Long, flat bill, streamlined physique n Very long pectoral fins n Dark stripes from head to caudal fin
n Usually several vertical stripes are noticeable n Reach a maximum size of 177 inches and 1,400 lbs n Caudal fin with narrow white margin n Lateral line noticeably wavy
n Pointed dorsal fin curves sharply downward n Color is mostly dark brown to purple, with whitish undersides n Metallic,dark-blue above, silvery-gray sides n Finlets dusky
n Females will commonly weigh over 1190 lbs n High, crescent-shaped dorsal fin and broadly forked tail
n Males rarely exceed 353 lbs. in weight n Pectoral fins are also large and crescent shaped
n It has a long stout bill
LONGBILL SPEARFISH [ Tetrapturus Pflueferi ] HATCHET MARLIN [ Tetrapturus ] BIGEYE TUNA [ Thunnus Obeses ] BLACKFIN TUNA [ Thunnus Atlanticus ]
n Color of body dark blue shading to silvery white underneath n May be a variant of the White Marlin n Body stocky and robust n Pectoral fins moderately long
n The bill is actually quite short compared to that of the White Marlin n Scales are round, whereas those of the other Marlins are pointed n Large eyes in adults n Second dorsal and anal fins have silver luster
n Dorsal fin is pointed at the front but dips slightly and n Coloration is similar to the other Marlins, but it is closer n Mid length pectoral fin n Bluish-black above silvery-gray sides and belly
remains high for its full length to the White than to the Blue in body proportions n Finlets bright yellow with broad black margins
n They are pelagic and feed at or near the surface n Name comes from the dorsal fin, which does not dip in the
n Rarely lives past 4 or 5 years manner of the Blue and White but tapers gradually to the rear
SAILFISH [ Istiophourus Albicans ] WHITE MARLIN [ Tetrapturus Albidus ] BLUEFIN TUNA [ Thhunnus Thynnus ] LITTLE TUNNY [ False Albacore ]
n Blue to gray in color n Dark blue body to chocolate brown, shading to silvery white underbelly n Body stocky and robust n Body with scattered dark spots above lateral line
n Dorsal fin, which often stretches the entire length n Noticeable spots on dorsal fin n Caudal keel black in adults n Pectoral fins very short and broad
of the back, is characteristic of a sail n Upper jaw elongated in shape of spear n Short pectoral fins n Belly without dark stripes
n Fastest fish in the sea n Lateral line curved above pectoral fin then going in straight n Finlets yellow with narrow black margins
n Known for their incredible jumps line to base of tail
n Average size is 45 to 65 lbs. with females reaching relatively larger sizes
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