Swordfish

The swordfish is a fast, powerful ocean fish with a long, flat, pointed bill like a sword. It is the only species in its family and swims in warm and temperate parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Adults commonly reach about 3 metres, and the largest reported was 4.55 metres and 650 kilograms.

Swordfish are loners that travel long distances. They usually stay between the surface and about 550 metres down, and they have been recorded as deep as 2,878 metres. Adults lose all their teeth and scales. Special tissue near the eyes warms the brain and eyes, which helps the fish see in cold, deep water. It is listed as least concern but is a major catch for fishers.

Using the sword

The long bill makes up around a third to a half of the body length, according to Korean sources. Swordfish slash it through schools of fish and squid to stun or injure them, then eat the wounded prey. They hunt mostly at night near the surface, and in daytime they go down into deeper waters.

Growing up

Swordfish become adults at about four to five years old. The oldest ones studied so far were 16 years for a female and 12 for a male. Females grow larger than males, and Pacific swordfish get bigger than those in the Atlantic. They are a favourite of sport anglers, and they were once overfished before numbers recovered.

On the globe

On the toy globe the swordfish cruises in open ocean. Look for the long, flat sword on its snout.