The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans), more accurately the Atlantic Blue Marlin, is a large Atlantic bony fish. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The blue marlin is one of around 10 species of marlin, a family of large fish identified by their elongated bodies, spear-like snout (or bill) and long dorsal fin that forms a large crest. It is one of the larger members of its family, with females reaching lengths of up to 5m (16.4ft) and weighing up to 818kg (1803lbs), with males being smaller. Marlin are among the fastest marine animals, with speeds of around 110km/h (68mph) reliably clocked - faster speeds have been claimed, but may be exaggerations.
The blue marlin is endemic to the Atlantic ocean (although the closely related Indo-Pacific blue marlin may represent a separate population) and is most common in tropical and sub-tropical waters. Found far from land, it hunts fish and squid, using its bill to stun or injure its prey before eating it. A fully-grown blue marlin has few natural predators outside of large sharks, but it is popular with fishermen and numbers have declined due to overfishing.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The blue marlin is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption after a zoo reaches a rating of 1 star. Each individual costs $2000 to adopt.
The blue marlin is a Pelagic animal and as such does not require foliage or rocks. Females are larger than males, as they are in real life. They are classed as medium-sized predators, meaning they will hunt most animals considered medium or smaller. This includes green sea turtles and young manta rays.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The blue marlin is distinguished by its long sharp bill, which it uses as a weapon, and its sleek crescent-shaped tail. With a hydrodynamic shape and great strength, this marlin is one of the Atlantic Ocean’s fastest swimmers. These fish are highly migratory and travel nearly the length of the Atlantic Ocean each year, wintering in tropical waters near the equator, and then journeying north to summer in temperate waters. The blue marlin hunts alone and in the daytime for octopus, squid, tuna, and mackerel. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The Blue Marlin is listed as Low Risk in the Zoo Tycoon 2, but the species has since been reclassified as Vulnerable.
- Male blue marlins are coded as small predators, unlike females which are coded as medium predators. They are one of 2 animals with different size coding based on sex, with the other being Gigantopithecus.
- Interestingly, this means that adult male blue marlin occupy the same size group as young blue marlin.