Species profile
Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
At a glance
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is an IUCN Near Threatened bony-fish species regulated in 7 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Louisiana); the most generous is 2 (California).
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 39.7 in (≈ 3 ft 4 in).
Confirmed by 30 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, California, and Texas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Swordfish can reach nearly 15 feet in length and weigh over 1,400 pounds.
- They use their flattened bill to slash at prey, not to spear it.
- A special organ behind their eyes heats them by up to 15°C, sharpening vision in cold deep water.
- They can dive deeper than 1,800 feet to hunt in pitch-dark, frigid water.
- Adult swordfish have no teeth and no scales.
Where Swordfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Swordfish
Background
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), also known as broadbills in some countries, are large, highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by a long, flat bill. They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category, though elusive. 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…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Swordfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.