Animal Profiles
Fish

Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The swordfish is a highly mobile marine predator with a long flattened bill. It occupies several ocean basins and moves between warmer spawning waters and productive feeding regions.

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), photographed specimen against a dark background.

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), photographed specimen against a dark background.

At a glance

Location
Xiphias gladius occurs in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific waters, including temperate and tropical regions. Most habitat is offshore, though fish also enter coastal waters. Populations do not necessarily mix freely across all regions.
Habitat
Open ocean, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Fishes and squid supply much of the food, with crustaceans also eaten.

Classification

Common name
Swordfish
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Xiphias gladius
Taxon rank
species
Order
Perciformes
Family
Xiphiidae
Genus
Xiphias
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its bill is flattened.
  • It lacks pelvic fins.
  • It feeds over a wide depth range.

Habitat and range

Xiphias gladius occurs in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific waters, including temperate and tropical regions. Most habitat is offshore, though fish also enter coastal waters. Populations do not necessarily mix freely across all regions.

Appearance and adaptations

The long upper jaw forms a broad flattened sword. The body is darker above and lighter below. Pelvic fins are absent, helping distinguish swordfish from some other billfishes.

Diet and behaviour

Fishes and squid supply much of the food, with crustaceans also eaten. Swordfish forage through a wide depth range and use their bills during prey capture. Seasonal movements connect different thermal and feeding environments.

Sources

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