Swordfish

The swordfish is named for its flattened, pointed bill which extends from the upper part of its mouth. This bill streamlines the fish for swimming and also helps it catch prey. A swordfish's bill may be one-third of the fish's total length. The swordfish is the only member in its family.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Istiophoriformes

Family: Xiphiidae

Genus: Xiphias

Species: Gladius

The swordfish is the sole species in its family and is recognized around the world in tropical and temperate oceans.

One distinctive feature of the swordfish is its bill. The bill of the swordfish is a stiff, long, flattened, pointed snout which extends from the upper part of its mouth. Marlins, spearfish, and sailfish have similar bills, but theirs are rounded. Because of its bill, the swordfish is often called a broadbill or a billfish. The bill of the swordfish may be up to one-third of the fish's total length. An adult swordfish averages nine to 15 feet (2 1/2 to 4 1/2 meters). Weights commonly range between 150 and 1,430 pounds (68 to 649 kilograms).

A second distinct feature of the swordfish is its dorsal, or back, fin. This fin is slender and tall and rises to a sharp point behind the head of the fish, looking similar to the dorsal fin of a shark. The swordfish's pectoral fins are located low on its body just behind its gills. It lacks pelvic fins but has anal fins and a large, forked caudal, or tail, fin. Two short ridges run along the body just in front of the tail. The scaleless skin of the swordfish is purple or blue on its back and the upper portions of its sides and is silver on the lower parts and belly.

The swordfish is a carnivore, or meat-eating animal. Swimming at depths between 650 and 2,000 feet (200 and 600 meters), it preys upon fish, crustaceans, and squid. In general, it lives and hunts alone. This ocean predator typically swims into a school of fish and waves its broad bill to stun or kill the fish. Interestingly enough, the swordfish does not have teeth for eating its meals.

The broad bill also streamlines the fish's body so that it is able to swim at 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour, making it one of the fastest fish in the world. Few ocean creatures are able to prey upon the swordfish, one exception being the mako shark, which is able to swim faster than the swordfish. Orcas, or killer whales, may also prey on the swordfish. Other threats to the swordfish are tuna trappers and also commercial harpooners, who spear the swordfish when it occasionally suns itself near the surface. Sport fishermen also experience a thrill when they hook and fight this impressive fish.

A swordfish may inflict great damage with its powerful bill. Stories throughout the years report that swordfish have attacked boats and whales. Some of these stories may actually be about sailfish and spearfish, but it is believed that swordfish also may do this. The swords of these fish have also been found in whales' blubber. It is believed that these have snapped off when the fast-moving fish collided with the whales, as they likely did when accidentally hitting boats.

Information about how the swordfish reproduces is limited but they are believed do mate at different times depending on their location. Swordfish are not egg-laying animals like other fish, but are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. The female carries thousands of eggs that are externally fertilized by the male. The eggs hatch inside the female. Swordfish can reproduce when they are between four and five years old. Swordfish can live up to 15 years. They are not a threatened species.

Bibliography

“Swordfish - Facts, Diet, Habitat, & Pictures on Animalia.bio.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/index.php/swordfish. Accessed 3 May 2024.

“Swordfish Fish Facts - Xiphias Gladius.” A-Z Animals, 2 Nov. 2022, a-z-animals.com/animals/swordfish. Accessed 3 May 2024.