Larvae heavily pigmented on head and trunk. Strong and serrate pre-opercular and pterotic spines projected in posterior direction. At first glance similar to Dactylopterus volitans larvae, but former with protruding snout. Makaira nigricans larvae with relatively short snout, large eye, darkly pigmented body and anterior projection of orbital rim (Makaira nigricans). No pigment on lower part of head, except two spots at tip of lower jaw (Ueyanagi, 1974).
Table Istiophoridae
22 geographic zones