| Scientific name: Kajikia albida |  |
| Nome comum: Espadim-branco-do-Atlântico; Peto; Espadim |
| Common name: Atlantic white marlin |
| Classification: CHORDATA > ACTINOPTERYGII > Perciformes > Istiophoridae |
| Description: A large oceanic billfish. Body elongate, laterally compressed. Upper jaw prolonged into a spear with round cross-section. Dorsal profile of head fairly steep. Two dorsal fins; the first one long, as high as body depth anteriorly, and low posteriorly; second dorsal fin small. Two separate anal fins. Pelvic fins similar to pectoral fins in length. Tips of the first dorsal, first anal, and pectoral fins rounded. Two keels on each side of the caudal peduncle. Caudal fin strongly forked. Body dark blue to brown dorsally, brownish silvery white laterally and silvery white ventrally; first dorsal fin membrane dark blue covered with many black spots, second dorsal fin dark blue; other fins dark brown. Usually has no spots on the body. |
Global Distribution: Atlantic Ocean: roughly from 45°N to 45°S in the southwestern Atlantic and 35°S in the southeastern Atlantic. Its distribution varies seasonally, reaching higher latitudes in both the northern and southern hemisphere only during the respective warm seasons.
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| BIOLOGICAL FEATURES |
| Size: Maximum length 300 cm (total length); common length 210 cm (TL); maximum published weight: 82.5 kg. Females grow larger. |
| Age: |
| Weight length rel.: |
| Growth type: |
| von Bertallanfy growth parameters: |
| Reproduction: |
| Maturity: 164.0 m. |
| Behavioural ecology: |
| Population structure & migrations: It is unclear whether there are two separate stocks or a single population in the Atlantic. Highly migratory species. |
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| ECOLOGICAL FEATURES |
| Depth range: FishBase: 0 - 150 m, usually 0 - 100 m. |
| Habitat: Pelagic, oceanic. Usually above the thermocline. |
| Feeding habits: Feeds on fishes and squids. |
| Trophic level: FishBase: 4.5 |
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| FISHERIES |
| Commercial interest: Minor commercial species; highly valued as gamefish. |
| Conservation status: Vulnerable. |
| Nutritional information & food safety: |
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| REFERENCES |
Carpenter K.E., ed. (2002). The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Volume 3: Bony fishes part 2 (Opistognathidae to Molidae), sea turtles and marine mammals. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Special Publication No. 5. FAO, Rome, pp. 1375-2127.
Froese, R., Pauly D., editors (2011) .FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, (07/2014). www.fishbase.org/summary/Kajikia-albida.html
Hureau J.-C., ed. (1984-1985). Fishes of the North-Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. UNESCO. Accessed through: Marine Species Identification Portal. World Wide Web electronic publication. http://species-identification.org (2014).
IUCN (2014). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1. www.iucnredlist.org
Nakamura I. (1985). FAO Species Catalogue Vol. 5. Billfishes of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of marlins, sailfishes, spearfishes and swordfishes known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopses, 125 vol.5, 65 pp. |
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