Swordfish
Swordfish
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), also known as broadbills in some countries, is a large, highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by a long, flat, pointed bill.
Pronunciation
- /ˈsɔːrdˌfɪʃ/
Etymology
The term "swordfish" is derived from the Old English words "sword" and "fish", due to the elongated, sword-like bill of the fish. The scientific name, Xiphias gladius, comes from Greek ξίφος (xiphos, "sword") and Latin gladius ("sword").
Description
Swordfish are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood. These fish are found widely in tropical and temperate parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are known to reach a maximum size of 4.3 m (14 ft) and 650 kg (1,430 lb).
Related Terms
- Billfish: A group of predatory fish characterized by prominent bills, or rostrums, and by their large size; some are longer than 4 m (13 ft). Swordfish are classified as billfish.
- Predatory fish: Fish that prey upon other fish or animals. Some predatory fish include the swordfish, sharks, and barracuda.
- Migratory species: Species that move from one habitat to another during different times of the year or life stage. Swordfish are highly migratory.
- Atlantic Ocean: The second-largest of the world's oceans, with an area of about 106,460,000 square kilometers. It is known to be a habitat of the swordfish.
- Pacific Ocean: The largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions. It is also a habitat of the swordfish.
- Indian Ocean: The third-largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 square kilometers. It is also a habitat of the swordfish.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Swordfish
- Wikipedia's article - Swordfish
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