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Mediterranean spearfish

A marlin species native to the Mediterranean Sea

Photo: ALCUSTOM boats, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Mediterranean spearfish is a marlin species found mainly in the central Mediterranean. It lives near the surface and migrates between key areas like the Tyrrhenian Sea. This fish reaches up to 240 cm in length and holds minor value for commercial fishing.

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  • Native to the Mediterranean Sea, especially around Italy
  • Can reach a length of 240 centimetres
  • Heaviest recorded specimen weighed 70 kilograms
  • Found within 200 metres of the surface
  • Of minor importance to commercial fisheries

What it is

The Mediterranean spearfish is a type of marlin that inhabits the open waters of the Mediterranean Sea. It is characterised by its streamlined body and ability to swim near the surface. Adults can grow quite large, with a maximum recorded length of 240 centimetres. The heaviest individual on record weighed 70 kilograms. This species is distinct from other billfish due to its specific range and habitat preferences within the Mediterranean basin.

Where it lives

This fish is native to the Mediterranean Sea, where it is especially common in waters surrounding Italy. Its core habitats include the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Strait of Sicily. While primarily found in the central Mediterranean, there is a probable record of one being caught off the coast of Madeira. The species is highly migratory, moving through these central regions rather than staying in one fixed location.

How it lives

As an open-water species, the Mediterranean spearfish stays within 200 metres of the surface. It is highly migratory, travelling through the central Mediterranean. Specific details about its diet, schooling behaviour, or natural predators are not provided in the available information. Its movement patterns suggest it follows resources or environmental conditions within its core habitats in the Tyrrhenian Sea and Strait of Sicily.

Breeding and life cycle

Information regarding the spawning habits, egg development, or growth rates of the young is not available in the provided material. Consequently, details about breeding seasons or reproductive strategies cannot be described.

Mediterranean spearfish
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

The Mediterranean spearfish is of minor importance to commercial fisheries. It is caught occasionally, but it does not form a major part of the fishing industry in the region. Its primary interaction with humans appears to be through small-scale commercial capture.

Status and threats

Details about specific threats such as overfishing, pollution, or habitat loss are also absent from the provided text.

Questions people ask about Mediterranean spearfish

Where does the Mediterranean spearfish live?

It is native to the Mediterranean Sea, particularly around Italy. Core habitats include the Tyrrhenian Sea and Strait of Sicily. It stays in open water within 200 metres of the surface.

How big does the Mediterranean spearfish get?

This species can reach a maximum length of 240 centimetres. The heaviest recorded specimen weighed 70 kilograms. It is a substantial open-water fish.

Is the Mediterranean spearfish important for fishing?

It is of minor importance to commercial fisheries. While it is caught, it does not play a major role in the fishing industry compared to other species in the region.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Mediterranean spearfish", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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