Linnaeus, 1758; XIPHIIDAE FAMILY; also
called broadbill, broadbill swordfish
Found worldwide in temperate and
tropical oceanic and continental shelf
waters from the surface to depths of 400
500 fathoms or more. Except when
spawning, females prefer cool, deep
waters near submarine canyons or coral
banks. Males prefer to remain in
somewhat warmer waters.
Characteristically, it has a smooth,
very broad, flattened sword (broadbill)
that is significantly longer and wider
than the bill of any other billfish. It
also has a nonretractable dorsal fin,
rigid, nonretractable pectoral fins, and
a single, but very large keel on either
side of the caudal peduncle. Adults lack
scales and swordfish of all sizes lack
ventral fins. The back may be dark
brown, bronze, dark metallic purple,
grayish blue or black. The sides may be
dark like the back or dusky. The belly
and lower sides of the head are dirty
white or light brown.
This pelagic, migratory species usually
travels alone. It uses its sword for
defense and to kill or stun food such as
squid, dolphin, mackerel, bluefish and
various other midwater and deep sea
pelagic species. Occasional attacks on
boats have been authenticated by the
recovery of swords found broken off in
wooden hulls. One swordfish attacked
Alvin, the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institute submarine, at a depth of 330
fathoms and wedged its sword so tightly
into a seam that it could not be
withdrawn.
Fishing methods include presenting
trolling baits or deep drifting at night
with bait such as squid. They often bask
on the surface with their dorsal and
tail fins protruding from the water,
making them susceptible to harpooners
and longliners who make the majority of
swordfish catches. They are finicky,
easily frightened by an approaching
boat, and rarely strike blindly. Usually
the bait must be presented carefully and
repeatedly before the swordfish will
take it. The soft mouth makes hookup
uncertain and the slashing bill can make
short work of an angler's line or
leader. Squid is the most popular bait,
though Spanish mackerel, eel, mullet,
herring, tuna and live or dead bonito
are also used. To land a broadbill is
considered by many to be the highest
achievement in angling.
Very large swordfish are always females.
The males seldom exceed 200 lb (90 kg).
The meat of the swordfish is excellent
eating, making this fish the object of
large commercial fisheries
