Striped Marlin
Kajikia audax
Also known as Nairagi, A‘u, Makijki, Barred marlin, Spikefish, Striped swordfish
Culinary Profile
Distinctive flavor similar to but more pronounced than swordfish. It is considered the finest eating of all marlin species.
Firm.
Striped marlin is an excellent source of extra-lean protein. It is low in saturated fat and sodium. It is rich in niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Striped marlin are large, oceanic fish with long, round bills, small teeth, and a tall dorsal fin. Their bodies are dark blue-black on the top and fade to a silvery white on the bottom. They have rows of blue colored stripes made up of smaller round dots or narrow bands.
Biology
Striped marlin are smaller than other marlin species, but can reach a length of 12 feet and weigh more than 450 pounds. Spawning occurs in the central Pacific and off central Mexico. Juvenile fish move east toward the coast of Mexico, where they are found in high abundance around the tip of the Baja Peninsula. Striped marlin are opportunistic feeders of fish including mackerel, sardine, and anchovy.
Where They Live
Range Striped marlin live throughout tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Habitat Striped marlin prefer water temperatures of 20–25˚ C. Acoustic telemetry studies indicate that they spend 86 percent of their time in the surface layer above the thermocline (a layer above and below which the water is at different temperatures).
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Striped marlin is caught year-round, but the majority is caught between November and June.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from waters around Hawaii, other U.S. Pacific Islands, and the high seas.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2024, commercial landings of Pacific striped marlin totaled 1.3 million pounds and were valued at $1 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The Billfish Conservation Act , along with existing billfish regulations, prohibits the sale and commercial possession of billfish and billfish products. However, those that are caught in Hawaii and the Pacific Insular Areas (which includes American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands) are exempt and can be sold. Prohibitions on the sale of striped marlin on the U.S. West Coast provide a strong disincentive for commercial fishermen to catch striped marlin.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 54 Species
Where Striped Marlin ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 13.9 IU | 7 / 54 | 87% |
| Selenium | 57.4 µg | 10 / 106 | 91% |
| Phosphorus | 255 mg | 11 / 111 | 90% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 648 mg | 13 / 104 | 88% |
| Zinc | 0.66 mg | 32 / 111 | 71% |
| Protein | 19.66 g | 37 / 111 | 67% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.7 µg | 52 / 106 | 51% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 108 mg | 56 / 104 | 46% |
| Iron | 0.38 mg | 75 / 111 | 32% |
Other Pacific Islands Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Striped Marlin.
North Pacific Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Moist, flavorful, and slightly sweet.
Pacific Albacore Tuna
Thunnus alalunga
Mild, rich taste.
Pacific Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfinand is preferred by sashimi lovers.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus orientalis
Bluefin has a distinctive flavor. With its high fat content, it is especially prized for sushi and sashimi.
Pacific Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Pacific Mahimahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahimahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away the darker portions of the meat.
Pacific Shortfin Mako Shark
Isurus oxyrinchus
Sweet with a full-bodied, meaty taste.
Pacific Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Pacific Wahoo
Acanthocybium solanderi
Lean and mild.
Pacific Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Yellowfin tuna has a mild, meaty flavor. It’s more flavorful than albacore, but leaner than bluefin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Striped Marlin a lean fish or a rich one?
At 144 kcal per 100 g raw, Striped Marlin counts as rich on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
What else is Striped Marlin called?
Striped Marlin is also marketed as Nairagi, A‘u, Makijki, Barred marlin, Spikefish, Striped swordfish.
Where in the water column does Striped Marlin live?
Range Striped marlin live throughout tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Habitat Striped marlin prefer water temperatures of 20–25˚ C. Acoustic telemetry studies indicate that they spend 86 percent of their time in the surface layer above the thermocline (a layer above and below which the water is at different temperatures).
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught striped marlin is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of striped marlin: The Eastern Tropical Pacific and Central Western Pacific stocks. According to the most recent stock assessments: The Eastern Tropical Pacific stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing (2010 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
The Eastern Tropical Pacific stock is not subject to overfishing. The Central Western Pacific stock is subject to overfishing. International conservation and management measures are in place to end overfishing for this stock.
Habitat Impacts
Gear used to harvest striped marlin rarely contacts the ocean floor, so habitat impacts are minimal.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch. Striped marlin are caught incidentally in some fisheries that target tunas and swordfish.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the Pacific striped marlin fishery domestically. Managed under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pacific Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region : Entry to this fishery is limited to a maximum of 164 vessels. Permits and logbooks are required.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 22 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.