White marlin

White marlin
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Carangiformes
Suborder: Menoidei
Superfamily: Xiphioidea
Family: Istiophoridae
Genus: Kajikia
Species:
K. a. / T. albida
Binomial name
Kajikia albida / Tetrapterus albida
(Poey, 1860)
Synonyms
  • Lamontella albida (Poey, 1860)
  • Makaira albida (Poey, 1860)
  • Tetrapturus lessonae Canestrini, 1861
  • Makaira lessonae (Canestrini, 1861)

The white marlin (Tetrapterus albida/Kajikia albida), also known as Atlantic white marlin, marlin, skilligalee, is a species of billfish that lives in the epipelagic zone of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean. They are found between the latitudes of 45° N and 45° S in waters deeper than 100 m (330 ft). Even though white marlin are found in bodies of water that are deeper than 100 m they tend to stay near the surface. White marlin have been found near banks, shoals, and canyons, but they are not limited to those locations. They prefer warm surface temperatures greater than 22 °C (72 °F).