Makaira indica
Family
Istiophoridae (Billfishes)
Order
Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Maximum Size
465 cm FL; max. published weight: 750.0 kg
Environment
Pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth range 0 - 915 m
Climate
Subtropical; 15 - 30°C; 40°N - 45°S
Importance
fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resiliance
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.47(?); Fec=67 million; assuming tm>2)
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: tropical and subtropical waters, occasionally entering temperate waters. Stray individuals migrate into the Atlantic Ocean by way of the Cape of Good Hope, but the existence of Atlantic breeding stocks is unlikely. Highly migratory species.
Diagnosis
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 39-50; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 16-21. Dark blue above, silvery white below; sometimes with light blue vertical stripes; 1st dorsal fin blackish to dark blue, other fins dark brown with tinges of dark blue in some specimens.
Biology
Oceanic, usually found in surface waters above the thermocline, often near shore close to land masses, islands and coral reefs. Feed on fishes, squids, cuttlefishes, octopods, large decapod crustaceans and mostly on small tunas when abundant. The flesh is of good quality; marketed refrigerated or frozen and prepared as sashimi in Japan.
