Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Xiphias gladius, commonly known as the swordfish, is a large pelagic fish that typically reaches 2–3 meters in length.
Video
About this species
Species identity
Xiphias gladius, commonly known as the swordfish, is a large pelagic fish that typically reaches 2–3 meters in length. It lives in the open ocean and is capable of moving between surface waters and deeper layers. Its streamlined body and long, flat bill are adapted for fast swimming and striking prey.
Where it lives
Xiphias gladius is found in tropical, temperate, and some subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It is widely distributed across the global ocean, making it a highly migratory species.
It occurs from surface waters down to deeper zones, often moving vertically between warm surface layers and cooler depths.
This species prefers open ocean environments and is commonly associated with regions where ocean currents and temperature gradients concentrate prey.
Role in the ecosystem
Swordfish helps explain how marine food webs function through its ecological role, habitat use, and connection to broader ecosystem change.
Scientific reference
Citation
Ocean Literacy Connections
This resource can be explored through Ocean biodiversity, One ocean, many features and Ocean and humans.
- How do ocean habitats support so many forms of life and interaction?
- How do different ocean places belong to one connected system?
- How does the ocean support people, and how do human choices change the ocean?
Explore and connect
Open the species distribution layer to compare this range with ocean basins, ecosystems, and related marine context.
