Overview
One of the largest ocean predators, a solitary deep-water hunter.
Identification
Sword-like billSingle, sickle-shaped dorsal finStrongly forked tailLarge eyesStreamlined bodySilvery bellyDark coloration on the backLack of scales
- Body
- Fusiform, streamlined, robust body with a long, sword-like bill.
- Colouration
- Dark bluish or black on the back, light silvery belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent or not prominent
- Growth
- Fast, reaches considerable size in a few years
Taxonomy
- Family
- Xiphiidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Istiophorus platypterusMakaira nigricansThunnus albacaresKatsuwonus pelamisTetrapturus angustirostris
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- open_sea, pelagic, deep_sea
- Preferred bottom
- pelagic
- Geographic distribution
- Found in all of the world's temperate and tropical oceans, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian.
- Micro-habitat
- Often in areas rich in prey, in open waters far from shores.
Lives mainly in the open sea, rarely approaching the coast.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Af Sudafrica IndianoPeak
Af Indiano EstPeak
Na Costa Est CentroPeak
Na Costa Est SudPeak
Na Golfo MessicoPeak
Na CaraibiPeak
Na Costa Ovest CentroPeak
Na Costa Ovest SudPeak
Na Baja CaliforniaPeak
Sa Atlantico SwPeak
Sa Brasile EstPeak
Sa Pacifico SePeak
As Mar Cinese EstPeak
As Giappone SudPeak
Au Coral SeaPeak
Au Costa Est TemperataPeak
Open Pacifico TempPeak
Open Atlantico TropPeak
Open Atlantico TempPeak
Open Indiano TropPeak
Open Indiano TempPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- squid, tuna, sardines
- Secondary prey
- anchovies, mackerel, flying fish
- Occasional prey
- lobsters, shrimp, jackfish
- Feeding behaviour
- Fierce predator, hunts fast-moving prey, often near the surface at night.
- Natural predators
- orcas, sharks, sperm whales
Diet varies with the seasonal availability of prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- high
- Migration
- Migratory species, with seasonal movements between feeding and breeding areas.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Tends to move to warmer waters during the winter months.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles stay closer to the surface and form small groups.
- Adults
- Adults are solitary hunters and move through various depths in search of food.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July, August
- Spawning depth
- depths of 20 to 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic, spherical eggs of varying sizes.
- Larval stage
- Larval stage characterized by an elongated bill, similar to adults.
- Sexual maturity
- varies between 2 and 5 years
When to catch Swordfish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Day—
Nightnotte, tarda sera
This species shows peak fishing activity in summer, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in autumn and winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Rises more to the surface.
Medium
Regular deep activity.
High
Very deep.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
16°COptimal zone: 20-27°C30°C
Preferred tide: any
Where to catch it
Best spots
deep watersocean edgesoffshore areaspelagic banks
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
longlineshand-liningtrollingharpooning
Other applicable
Deep DroppingDriftingDrifting NotturnoTraina ProfondaTrolling Oceanico
Recommended baits
squidsardinesanchoviesmackerel
Baits by pressure
Low
Deep diver / Down-rigger lureMetal jig extra heavy (300g+)Soft plastic grande (20-30cm)Skirted trolling (Pusher/Chugger)
Medium
Calamaro interoCalamaro vivoEsca viva profondaPesce intero mortoSgombro interoPezzo di pescePolpo morto
High
Calamaro interoCalamaro vivoDeep diver / Down-rigger lure
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Feisty and powerful, makes spectacular jumps and quick bursts.
- Handling
- Avoid the bill, handle with care on board, avoiding direct contact.
- Release
- Release quickly back into the water, avoiding damage to the gills.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for swordfish is held by a 1,182 lb specimen caught in May 1953 off the coast of Chile. In Italy, swordfish is an iconic sport-fishing species, with specimens exceeding 1,000 lbs.
- In the kitchen
- Highly prized meat used in carpaccio, grilled, or stewed.
- Cultural notes
- Symbol of power and beauty in various seafaring cultures.
- Historical notes
- Long part of the Mediterranean fishing tradition, mentioned by Pliny the Elder.
