English language common names include white marlin, Atlantic white marlin, and skilligalee. Other names include aguja blanca (Spanish), agulha (Portuguese), bicuda (Portuguese), blanca (Spanish), cabezona (Spanish), espadarte-branco (Portuguese), espadon (French), marlin alb (Rumanian), and wit marlyn (Afrikaans).
Geographical Distribution
Occurring in the Atlantic Ocean, the white marlin has a distribution from approximately 45??N to 45??S in the western Atlantic Ocean and 35??S in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. As its distribution is limited by temperature, its boundaries vary throughout the year; it is found in the northern and southern extremes of its range only in the respective warm season. Specimens have been reported from the Mediterranean Sea and from the coast of France, but these are believed to be isolated occurrences of individuals who have strayed outside the regular distribution. While white marlin do travel long distances, they apparently do not perform the transoceanic migrations of related species.
Habitat
The white marlin is pelagic and oceanic, usually found in water over 325 feet (100 m) deep. It generally swims above the thermocline, in water of surface temperatures above 71??F (22??C), and salinities between 35-37 parts per thousand (ppt). White marlin often occur in oceanic currents that can flow between 0.5-2.3 mph (.8-3.7 kph). They are often associated with upwellings and weed lines, and frequent regions with benthic geographic features such as drop-offs, canyons, and shoals. White marlins do not tend to travel in schools, but are usually observed swimming alone or in pairs. While swimming they commonly display a technique known as "tailing," in which only the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin is visible above the surface of the water. Small aggregations of white marlin may be observed around schools of bait fish. Limited schooling may occur, designated by sex or size during certain periods of the year, but little is known of this behavior.
