Billfish
Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
SaltwaterXiphiidaeLeast Concern
About
Swordfish are large, highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by their long, flattened bills. They are solitary hunters, known for their speed and agility in the water, often found in open ocean environments.
- Average size
- Up to 14 feet in length, 1,400 pounds
- Colors
- Dark brown to black dorsally, fading to light brown or silvery on the sides and underside.
- Diet
- Primarily fish (e.g., tuna, mackerel, squid), but also crustaceans and other cephalopods.
- Region
- Found in all oceans, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In the US, they are found along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico.