SWORDFISH - Xiphias gladius
March 9th, 2006 by Gillwetter PressFamily Xiphiidae, SWORDFISHES
Description: color of back variable, black, grayish blue, brown, metallic purple, or bronze; sides dusky; underbelly dirty white; long flat, sword-like upper jaw; lacks scales, teeth, and pelvic fins; single keel on each side of body in front of tail; first dorsal fin high, rigid and short; large eyes.
Similar fish: no close resemblance to other billfishes.
Where found: OFFHSORE species worldwide in temperate and tropic waters; known to frequent depths of 400 to 500 fathoms; also has been seen basking at the surface.
Size: once averaged 200 pounds, but overharvest has reduced size of commercially caught swordfish to average of 48 pounds.
Remarks: large swordfish are all females, males seldom exceed 200 pounds; except when spawning, females believed to prefer water cooler than that favored by males; feeds on squid, octopus, and pelagic fishes of all kinds.
