Behold the elegant dance of a striped marlin as it weaves through a bait ball off Baja California! Marlins are highly migratory fish that are known for their speed and agility—they’re some of the fastest swimmers in the ocean, reaching speeds of 80 km/hr. Though sometimes mistaken for swordfish, marlins can be differentiated by their dorsal fin that resembles a sail. Marlins are expert hunters that use their long, sharp bills to slash through schools of fish with the hopes of stunning one for an easy catch. They often hunt in the open ocean, targeting bait balls, like the one in this video. Bait balls are dense clusters of schooling fish, like sardines or anchovies, that form as a defense against predators—survival in numbers! Stay connected by signing up for our newsletter, link in bio. Get deeper insights on our work, the most pressing environmental news, and stories of hope to inspire action. Video by paulnicklen #OceanSchool #Marlin #BaitBall #Explore