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Saturday 7 July 2018

Swordfish

The swordfish also known as broadbills in some countries, are large, highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by the long sword-like bill protruding from the upper jaw. 

Their scientific name is Xiphias gladius. Gladius means sword in Latin.

Wikipedia

A baby swordfish starts out small enough to fit on your finger.

Swordfish commonly reach 3 m (9.8 ft) in length, but can grow up to 4.55 m (14.9 ft) in length and 650 kg (1,430 lb) in weight. Females are larger than males. 

The sword fish uses its bill to slash its prey, weakening it and making it easier to catch instead of killing her instantly.

Swordfish don't spear prey at the end of their bills—if anything, they thrash their heads from side to side to slash schools of fish.

Swordfish bills can be turned into swords which are sold for hundreds of pounds on the Internet.

Flickr

A Hawaiian fisherman was killed by a swordfish which punctured his lung in 2015.

They have special organs next to the eyes that keep their brain and eyes warm in cold water. This improves the swordfish's ability to see. 

Swordfish have a gland that greases up their faces and heads to make them swim faster.

They can swim up to 16 miles per hour (the often quoted speed of 60 miles per hour is a myth), 


The ancient Romans lured swordfish within range of their spears by using boats shaped like their prey.

The International Game Fish Association's all-tackle angling record for a swordfish was a 1,182 lb (535.15 kg) specimen taken off Chile in 1953.

While popular as food, the fish has high mercury levels and should be eaten only once a week or less. 

Swordfish filet. Pixiebay

Source Daily Mail

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