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The swordfish (Xiphias gladius), also known as the broadbill in some countries, are large, highly migratory predatory fish characterized by a long, flat, pointed bill. They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category, though elusive. Swordfish are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood.
Learn everything about swordfish, one of the largest and most powerful predators in the ocean. Discover their characteristics, appearance, lifespan, habitat, diet, and more.
- Open ocean
- Up to 4.5 metres (14ft 11 in)
- At least 16 years
- Swordfish are expert fencers. The elongated, flattened rostrum of the swordfish is a precision weapon which can be slashed with deadly accuracy. Swordfish use their swords to knock fast, agile prey off balance during high speed chases, incapacitating them for easy consumption.
- The need for speed has driven their evolution. In order to outmanoeuvre their prey, swordfish have evolved a body plan that prioritises swimming performance above all else.
- They secrete drag-reducing oils from their heads. Swordfish have a specialised organ near the base of their rostrum that produces unique hydrophobic oils.
- They are one of the fastest fish in the world. This has been debated, but it’s generally accepted that the max recorded speed of a swordfish has been 64kph or 40mph, making it one of the fastest fish in the sea.
Jul 31, 2012 · Learn about swordfish, a large, fast, and popular seafood fish with a distinctive sword-like jaw. Find out where they live, what they eat, how they reproduce, and how they are conserved.
Learn about swordfish, a prized food and game fish with a long sword and no pelvic fins. Find out its distribution, habitat, appearance, behavior, and more from Britannica.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn about swordfish, a large, highly migratory predatory fish with a long, flat, pointed bill. Find out their distribution, habitat, diet, mating habits, population status and more on Animalia.bio.
May 27, 2024 · Learn about the swordfish, a fast and powerful fish with a long, sword-like bill. Find out where they live, what they eat, how they reproduce, and why they are threatened by fishing.
