| Swordfish - (Xiphias gladius) | ||
| Maximum weight: | 1300lbs |
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| I.G.F.A. record: | 1182 lbs | |
| Temperature range: | 18°C to 25°C
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| Identifying features: | color of back variable, black, greyish 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. | |
| Typical location: |
Oceanic but sometimes found in coastal waters . Generally above the thermocline, prefering temperatures of 18°C to 22°C . Larvae are frequently encountered at temperatures above 24 °C. Migrate toward temperate or cold waters in the summer and back to warm waters in the fall. Adults are opportunistic feeders, known to forage for their food from the surface to the bottom over a wide depth range. Use their sword to kill their prey. Feed mainly on fishes but also on crustaceans and squids |
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