What is a marlin?

A marlin is a type of fish with a spear-like snout, elongated body and rigid dorsal fin. Marlins can weigh hundreds to thousands of pounds. Despite their large size, they are fast swimmers, reaching upwards of 50 miles per hour.

Some marlin species, such as the Atlantic blue marlin and the black marlin, can grow to be longer than 16 feet. They are popular targets for sport fishermen due to their size and because they are known to put up a good fight once hooked.

The blue marlin is famous in literature. Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" tells the story of a fisherman and his battle to catch a blue marlin.