Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Identification
Unmistakable: the upper jaw is extended into a long, flat sword up to a third of total body length. Torpedo-shaped, up to 4.5 meters and over 500 kg. Adults have no scales and no teeth. The dorsal fin is tall and sickle-shaped.
Behavior & ecology
A solitary apex predator of the open ocean hunting squid and pelagic fish. The sword is used to stun prey. Can dive to 800 meters and is among the fastest fish in the world (possibly up to 80 km/h).
In the Netherlands
An occasional vagrant in the North Sea. Normally lives in warmer, deeper waters of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. A swordfish in the North Sea is always major news.
Upgrade to Explorer to see the best fishing spots for this species.
Seasonal patterns
Upgrade to see seasonal catch patterns for this species.
Key predictors
Upgrade to see the key predictors and statistical insights for this species.
