Marlin fish (Hook weevil)

pipe fish

Today we are going to talk about a unique species of fish whose species can live both in the marine environment and in fresh waters. Its about needle fish. It is also known by the name of pipefish. It belongs to the family belonidae and its scientific name is Hooked weevil. In this family all the fish are characterized mainly by having an elongated body and extended jaws with a long beak full of completely sharp teeth.

In this article you will be able to know in depth everything about the marlin. Do you want to know more about it? You just have to keep reading.

Key features

Needle fish

These fish have quite elongated bodies and have nostrils located in the inner well of their eyes. It has quite short pectoral fins compared to other fish and both the dorsal and anal fins are in the back in an abdominal position.

It has a straight line that runs through its entire body in a ventral position. This line starts from the pectoral fin and has some small scales. At the slightest impact or speed in the water they can detach. They are animals that live near the surface of the water. Because of this, they have a chlorination similar to the habitat where they live. That is, the fish have a greener and blue color on the top and whiter on the bottom. The straight line that we have discussed has a certain blue hue.

The tip of the lower jaw is, in most cases, a fleshy part of orange or red color. Thanks to their beak they are able to capture other prey quickly.

In most of the world, marlin fisheries are of great commercial interest. They are captured using the trawling technique, in which the specimens are trapped in the nets. It is considered a delicious delicacy for its excellent nutritional content. There are also people who avoid it because it is high in small, green bones.

Range and habitat of the needlefish

fish distribution area a

These fish have their characteristic range that expands through the western Atlantic and part of the Mediterranean Sea. In general, they move away from the coast for not too long distances and come back when temperatures rise in the summer and spring.

Throughout the winter they migrate to deeper waters away from the coast. Ships easily run aground in these areas if you don't take steps to avoid them. However, during the summer, their capture is much easier as they move further to the coast.

Preferably, its natural habitat is in deep waters. It is what we can consider as its true place of development. These fish, when they swim, form schools de peces needles, they produce a ripple in the water that is very easy to recognize by skilled fishermen. And the curious morphology of this fish does not go unnoticed when it comes to generating currents through the passage of the banks. de peces.

If the fish jump out of the water surface it is even easier to distinguish the school de peces needles. It is relatively easy to find them both in maritime areas and in estuaries.

Pipefish feeding and reproduction

pipefish jump

The pipefish is a carnivorous fish whose main and smallest food are the young of anchovies and sardines. These fish have optimized hunting techniques with which they are able to prey on them as if they were felines.

Apart from the baby anchovies, they also tend to eat other animals such as crustaceans, mollusks and other small fish. However, the first ones are his favorite dish, without a doubt. Fishing marlin is quite easy if you bait it from what would be its natural diet.

As for their reproduction, the needlefish expel their eggs in shallow waters where there is a large existence of algae in which they can adhere. The eggs are only 3 millimeters in diameter and they are placed in the algae thanks to a substance that allows it to adhere and not get lost. This is how they survive attached until the moment they hatch.

Baby marlin do not have a bony beak like adults. As they grow, they develop. They reach maturity when they are able to hunt on their own using their bony beak full of sharp teeth.

Marlin fishing

marlin fish

As we have mentioned before, many people love to eat marlin for its delicious taste. For this reason, there are fishermen who are fully dedicated to fishing these specimens. Obviously, individual fishermen cannot use the same fishing technique as a boat. They use vertical trawl nets that they cast into the sea to surround the banks de peces needle.

These banks freak out when they feel surrounded. When fleeing they are trapped in the nets and this is how they are captured. The most widely used nets are purse seines. This type of nets is used to travel in dense boats and have fishing with good results.

Fishing can also be done using a phytora with several teeth. This fishing is used at night and attempts are made to attract fish with a type of light. This is how you manage to gather a large amount de peces to capture a greater quantity of them.

To cook this fish you have to first know a few things. Its preparation is quite simple since it has few thorns. The price ranges between 10 and 15 euros per kilo, so it is something that can only be allowed on some occasions or wealthier people.

To clean and fillet it we must adapt to the physiognomy of the fish. It is the only thing that can be more complicated. Exquisite grilled or fried needle dishes can be prepared. Keep in mind that they are fish a little larger than sardines, but that their meat is quite similar.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about this fish.


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