Marlins are a group of fish belonging to the family Istiophoridae, which comprises 11 distinct species. This family's common name is believed to originate from their resemblance to a sailor's marlinspike. The family name, Istiophoridae, is derived from the genus Istiophorus, first described by George Kearsley Shaw in 1792. This genus name comes from the Greek word "ἱστίον" (istion), meaning "sail," aptly describing the shape of the species' dorsal fins.
Characterized by their elongated bodies, spear-like snouts or bills, and prominent dorsal fins that extend forward to form a crest, marlins are among the fastest swimmers in marine environments. However, speeds reported in popular literature are often exaggerated and based on outdated or unreliable data.
Notable examples of larger marlin species include the Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), which can grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) in length and weigh as much as 820 kilograms (1,810 pounds), and the black marlin (Istiompax indica), which can exceed 5 meters in length and weigh over 670 kilograms (1,480 pounds). These species are highly sought after in sport fishing, particularly in tropical regions. However, both the Atlantic blue marlin and the white marlin are currently endangered due to overfishing. Marlins have the fascinating ability to change color, with their stripes becoming more pronounced just before they attack prey.
Marlins belong to the Istiophoriformes order and are most closely related to the swordfish, the sole member of the family Xiphiidae. The Carangiformes are considered the second-closest clade to marlins. Although previously believed to be closely related to the Scombridae, genetic analysis indicates only a slight relationship.
Marlins have also made notable appearances in literature. In Ernest Hemingway's 1952 Nobel Prize-winning novel "The Old Man and the Sea," the protagonist, an experienced Cuban fisherman, catches a marlin after an 84-day streak without success, leading to a dramatic struggle. Frederick Forsyth’s "The Emperor," part of his collection "No Comebacks," features a marlin in a story about a bank manager named Murgatroyd, who earns the respect of Mauritian islanders by catching one. Additionally, Christina Stead's "The Man Who Loved Children" uses a marlin in a climactic scene involving the central character's family dynamics.
The Miami Marlins, a professional baseball team based in Miami, 🇺🇸 Florida, takes its name from this impressive fish species.