I'd say you're not a little confused, just missed my apparent poor attempt at tounge-in-cheek humor.
Those were all Pacific Blue Marlin. Not blacks, blues. More than likely all males. It's only the females that get up over 300 lbs, usually.
Blue Marlin (Makaira Nigricans)has retractable fins that can be folded flat against the body even after death. The dorsal fin stands high (although it is not as tall as the fish's body-depth) and is pointed anteriorly, rather than curved. It has a large anal fin and lavender stripes that appear when excited but fade after death. The lateral line is not visible in adults without removing scales. The back is dark blue and the belly is a silver/white.
Like the black marlin, blues are known wanderers with little scientific history. They are a highly migratory, pelagic species that can be found between 48 degrees South to 48 degrees North. They roam deep waters and congregate near baitfish-producing bottom structures such as continental shelves, canyons and reefs.
Blues are voracious and not very selective eaters. They will consume most any baitfish presented to them but their preferences are mackerel, squid, dolphin, and tuna.
It is difficult to find a blue marlin over 10 years old, however they are believed to live up to 15 years. Like black marlin, the largest blues will always be females. Males rarely grow above 300 pounds. A commercially-caught blue marlin weighed about 2,200 pounds.
The blue's enormous size and legendary fighting ability make it one of the most highly-targeted gamefish in the world. Anglers commonly troll natural baits such as mackerel, tuna, bonito, ballyhoo and dolphin in hopes of enticing one of these giants. Brightly colored lures and teasers are also commonly used. Blue marlin anglers will look for temperature breaks in the water and follow large concentrations of baitfish.
Blue marlin flesh is highly prized by the Orient's sushi and fish sausage market. Conversely, these fish are rarely eaten in the United States. Many anglers tag and release their catch after capture.
The #1 and 2 world tackle records are 1402 lbs. 2 ounces Vitoria, Brazil (Atlantic blue) and 1376 lbs. Kona, Hawaii (Pacific blue)
Their preferred temperature is from 70 to 86 degrees and they will follow the warm water currents (and moving bait schools) for very long distances. We frequently read of marlin caught in Hawaii waters sporting a tag from Brazil or other South American area, that was caught and released as far away as Fiji and then caught again in Hawaii. Pretty incredible example of a "migratory fish", huh?
