Pacific Blue Marlin_FINAL
Pacific Blue Marlin_R
JOB NOTES PART I
Dorsal fin height: reduce slightly. Keys sometime list the dorsal fin height as 1/2 to 3/4 of
body depth. This pic shows about the max of 3/4 body depth. Other keys list 2/3 body depth.
Recommend you shorten to 2/3 of the body depth.
2. Pectoral fin on side of fish: Recommend shorten slightly, thicken middle section, make tip
sharper
3. Body shading: Recommend decreasing the thickness of the dark blue color slightly, especially
in the anterior area below the dorsal fin, as per attached jpg (BUM_Itano-2) and the Australian
Billfish Guide.
4. The second dorsal fin (top toward back of fish) should end slightly behind the end of the second
anal fin (bottom toward back of fish). The photo Itano_BUM-1 shows this pretty well.
Also, the shape and features of these two fins should be more like the photo Itano_BUM-1. The
rear tips of the fins could be thinner and unattached at the base.
The length of the anal fin seems a bit long and the shape needs a bit of tweaking. See blue-
marlin-large-GrayTaxidermy.jpg as an example.
5. The representation of the two caudal keels (area at the base of the tail) is wrong as is the
depiction of a larger, central keel or process. I suggest you use the picture in the Australian
guide (attached to email) to better depict the caudal keel area.
6. Also, the caudal peduncle area (area connecting the body to the tail) is too thin and elongated
for this size fish. Shorten and thicken slightly.
7. The shape of the nape (area between eye and insertion of first dorsal fin) is a bit high and
rounded. This is a feature for black marlin. It looks a bit bulbous and high for a blue marlin. Look
at many pictures and you will see a more flattened or slightly rounded nape or forehead area.
8. You might consider depicting both pelvic fins (bottom front of fish), one behind the other, if
possible.
9. I would suggest moving the first vertical bar to begin slightly behind the insertion of the first
dorsal fin.
10. Overall, the depth and prominence of the head seems out of proportion to the rest of the body
that tapers steadily. Suggest either decreasing the head depth slightly or broadening the body
depth slightly.
11. Increase the distance between the end of the first dorsal fin and the start of the second dorsal
fin.
12. Taper out, make more regular the back portion of the second dorsal fin (see marlin_resize.jpg)