Nature Field Guide
Striped Marlin
- Spanish name
- Marlín rayado
- Scientific name
- Kajikia audax
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “I can see blue stripes along its sides!”
Tati: “We should check the shape too—other marlin can show stripes.”
Species overview
About the Striped Marlin
The striped marlin is a migratory predator of tropical and subtropical Pacific and Indian Ocean waters. Its long upper-jaw bill places it in the billfish family. A blue back, pale belly and vertical blue bars make a striking combination.
Its first dorsal fin rises prominently near the front of the body. Color intensity can vary, so stripes alone do not settle an identification. A reliable comparison also considers the dorsal fin, body shape and pectoral fins.
Like other large open-water predators, it connects food webs over a wide area. NOAA includes a photographed record from Puerto Carrillo, Costa Rica. That regional record does not establish a resident group at Tamarindo or provide a local population estimate.
Identification
Key Features of the Striped Marlin
A long bill and streamlined body.
Vertical blue bars that may vary in intensity.
A tall front portion of the first dorsal fin.
Habitat & range
Tropical and subtropical Pacific and Indian Ocean waters.
Local observations
NOAA documents a photographed Costa Rican record at Puerto Carrillo. This profile does not claim a verified Tamarindo-specific record.
When to observe
Ocean conditions, prey and animal movements affect occurrence. No guaranteed sighting or fixed local viewing season is established here.
Seasonal Calendar
Regional presence
Costa Rican offshore waters
Year-round
FECOP reports striped marlin throughout the year in Costa Rican offshore waters. No fixed Tamarindo migration or spawning calendar is established here.
Event source ↗Conservation & care
Observe marine wildlife without feeding, touching or chasing it. Keep litter and discarded fishing line out of waterways. Follow qualified guides and current local rules.
Threats & pressures
Striped marlin are caught incidentally in pelagic longline fisheries. Fishing pressure differs between assessed Pacific stocks.
Observation activity
Compare a reference photograph of the Striped Marlin with another marine species. Sketch three differences in body shape, fins or markings.
Explore by location
Central Pacific · Guanacaste · Oceanic Pacific · South Pacific