The swordfish is a large ocean fish, most recognizable by its long, flat, sword-like beak.
Where do Swordfish live?
Swordfish live in most of the world’s oceans. They are found in the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They seem to prefer warmer waters, but are found in a wide range of temperatures. They usually migrate to warmer waters in winter and cooler in summer. They can also be found at various depths in the ocean, including at the surface where they sometimes jump out of the water in an activity called breaching.
How big is the Swordfish?
Swordfish is a large fish. Females are slightly larger than males. The largest swordfish ever caught weighed 1,182 pounds. They are said to be up to 14 feet long and weigh 1,400 pounds.
In addition to the long bill and large size, the swordfish also has a large crescent-shaped caudal fin, a large anterior dorsal fin, a much smaller second dorsal fin, and a pectoral fin. They have large eyes and no teeth. Their upper body is silvery gray to brown in color while the lower part or belly is cream.
What do Swordfish eat?
Swordfish are carnivores and feed on other marine fish such as bluefish, mackerel, cod and herring as well as squid and octopus. They can eat smaller fish as well, but attack larger fish by hitting them with their sharp beak and then eating them. The swordfish has to eat every day and uses its high speed to catch other fish. They can swim at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
Fishing for Swordfish
Swordfish are a popular game fish because they are large and strong swimmers, making them a challenge for anglers. They are also a popular food served in many restaurants. For this reason, overfishing has occurred in some areas, especially near the coast. In addition, most swordfish caught today are smaller, often weighing between 100 and 200 pounds. This is probably due to overfishing.
Interesting Facts about Swordfish
They have special organs next to their eyes to keep their brains and eyes warm in cold water. This greatly improves their vision.
They mainly feed at night.
They have few predators, including humans, great sharks, and killer whales.
Their scientific name is Xiphias gladius. Gladius means sword in Latin.
They usually do not swim in groups or schools.
Along with sailfish, it is one of the fastest fish in the ocean.