A large, migratory predatory fish with a long, flat, pointed bill. Adults lose all their teeth and scales. It is the only member of its family.
Quick answers
What is it?Fish
Carnivore?Yes
Dangerous?Can be
No unprovoked attacks are known, but a harpooned swordfish can run its sword through a small boat.
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Night
It feeds mostly at night, rising to the surface to hunt smaller fish.
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?Yes
An oily fish sold as food, and a record-breaking game fish.
At a glance
Found inOceans
HabitatOpen ocean
ColoursBlue, Silver, Black
SizeHuge
LengthCommonly 3 m; up to 4.55 m
WeightUp to 650 kg
LegsNone
Covered inSkin
Lives alone
Lives for9–15 years
Can swim
Lays eggs
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Tropical and temperate Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, usually down to 550 m.
Did you know
Heats its own eyes and brain so it can see clearly hunting in cold deep water.
It has been recorded as deep as 2,878 m.
Often confused with
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