The White Marlin (Kajikia albida) is a highly migratory species of billfish that roams the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Recognized by its slender body, a relatively short bill, and a distinctively rounded dorsal fin, the White Marlin is the smaller cousin of the Blue Marlin. It is an oceanic predator that spends most of its life in the open sea.
Standard Adult Dimensions
The common length, measured from the lower jaw to the fork of the tail, typically ranges between 1.3 and 2.1 meters (51 and 83 inches). This length corresponds to an average adult weight of approximately 27 kilograms (60 pounds).
Mature White Marlin reach sexual maturity at a length of about 1.3 meters (51 inches), usually around two years of age. While most individuals fall within the common size range, a mature adult can reach up to 2.7 meters (9 feet).
Record Breaking Measurements
The largest reliably documented sizes demonstrate the upper limit of the species’ growth potential. The maximum length recorded for a White Marlin is around 2.8 meters (110 inches), with a corresponding maximum weight of approximately 82 kilograms (180 pounds). The official size benchmark for the species is the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) All-Tackle World Record for weight.
This record was set on December 8, 1979, by angler Evandro Luiz Coser off the coast of Vitória, Brazil. The record-breaking fish weighed 82.5 kilograms (181 pounds, 14 ounces) and measured 2.73 meters (107.5 inches) long.
Biological Factors Influencing Size
The ultimate size a White Marlin attains is heavily influenced by a combination of biological factors, including its lifespan and a phenomenon called sexual dimorphism. Although most White Marlin are aged between three and eight years, they are capable of living for a considerable period, with mark-recapture records suggesting some individuals can live over 15 years, and maximum longevity estimated to be up to 30 years. This extended lifespan is a prerequisite for reaching the maximum recorded sizes.
Growth rates are not uniform across the sexes, as the species exhibits marked sexual dimorphism. Female White Marlin consistently grow larger and heavier than males, a pattern common among billfish species. This difference means that the largest specimens, including the world record holder, are invariably female.