Slipping into the water with one of the world’s fastest predators is a thrilling experience. You are only meters away from a fish slashing a one-meter long bill around while it’s moving at over 80km/h. Marlin are extremely precise with their movements and can hit individual fish that flee from the relative safety of a bait ball. This precision is worthless, however, if the marlin cannot see what’s ahead so placing yourself too close to or in a bait ball can be hazardous. The solution seemed simple, stay away from the bait ball, but sometimes the reality isn’t always easy. Some bait fish will attempt to use you as protection and swarm around to try and escape predators.

When a marlin is preparing to hunt its spiny dorsal fin will extend and its pectoral fins will drop to increase manoeuvrability. Hormones are released which cause its muscles to flex and skin to tighten revealing pigments that darken its skin whilst purple stripes seemingly flare into existence. This is called “lighting up” which clearly indicates a marlin’s intention to other predators in the area. It is truly spectacular to witness.

The ability to communicate your intention to strike is particularly important when several predators, of the same or different species, are attacking the bait ball. The spectacle, which seems particularly chaotic, has a level of coordination, with each party taking turns. One animal will strike then wait till all of the others have had a turn before going again. When photographing striped marlin, I was often seen as another predator feeding on the bait ball. The predators would strike one after the other then pause and wait for me to take my turn. The cycle would resume when they realised I was not partaking in the hunt.

🖼️ Edition 1 / 1
🌏 Location: 24°39'34.9"N 112°2'36.5"W
🗓️ Captured: November 2022

An image by Ryan Sault - A diver, underwater photographer and adventure lover. He has travelled the globe photographing the most incredible and unique marine life and never leaves home without his camera.

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