PERCH-LIKE FISHES Tbi 



Shark or a " Man-eater ". It is said that the Spear-fish 

 becomes " furious at the approach of sharks ". 



Very little is known about the breeding habits of these 

 fishes, which seem to spawn in late spring or early summer. 

 The fact that the Spear-fishes have been observed in couples, 

 male and female together, at this time, suggests that they may 

 pair during the breeding season. The males are said to be 

 generally smaller than the females. 



All the Spear-fishes are of some commercial value, the 

 flesh providing good food. Large specimens are common 

 objects in the fish-markets of Honolulu, Japan and elsewhere. 

 They are usually speared or harpooned, but are also captured 

 on hooks. Their capture may be at times an exciting process, 

 as the fish may make a dash for the boat — -an attack which may 

 result in drowning the fisherman or wounding him with the 

 formidable rostrum. When hooked they are said to rise at 

 once to the surface and there to make prodigious leaps and 

 plunges in their efforts to free themselves. Eventually, 

 however, they become exhausted, are dragged alongside the 

 boat, and then beaten to death before being hauled on board. 



As game fishes they have a very high reputation, and the 

 larger Marlins undoubtedly provide exciting and strenuous 

 sport. Huge fish have been taken by anglers in recent years, 

 among which may be mentioned a Black Marlin of # 618 lb. 

 from Tahiti, a Striped Marlin of 1040 lb. from the same place, 

 and another Black Marlin of 976 lb. from the Bay of Islands, 

 New Zealand. The first two of these were taken by Mr. 

 Zane Grey, the well-known author and big-game fisherman. 



The scientific name, Tetrapturus (more properly Tetrap- 

 terurus), is derived from three Greek words and means literally 

 " four-winged tail" — a reference to the wing-like keels at the 

 base of the caudal fin. The popular name " Marlin " is simply 

 an abbreviation of " marlin-spike ", and, like the name 

 " Spear-fish ", refers to the rostrum. 



SAIL-FISHES. 



(Genus Istiophorus.) Fig. 55. 



In general appearance very similar to the Spear-fishes, but 

 distinguished from them by the single, high, sail-like dorsal 



