ABC Wednesday, X for Xiphias

 I am going to talk about the Xiphias, as my previous post was about the whale. And this fish may swim in the same waters as the whale does.

The swordfish is named after its bill resembling a sword ^. This makes it superficially similar to other billfish such as marlin, but upon examination, their physiology is quite different and they are members of different families^.

They commonly reach 3 m  in length, and the maximum reported is 4.55 m  in length and 650 kg  in weight. Females are larger than males, and Pacific swordfish reach a greater size than northwest Atlantic and Mediterranean swordfish.They reach maturity at 4–5 years of age and the maximum age is believed to be at least 9 years. The oldest swordfish found in a recent study were a 16-year-old female and 12-year-old male. Swordfish ages are derived, with difficulty, from annual rings on fin rays.

 

Swordfish have evolved to be formidable predators. They possess acute eyesight, with which they can locate prey, and their flesh consists primarily of ‘white’ muscle which provides energy for sudden bursts of activity, such as when in pursuit of their quarry . The swordfish then uses its bill to stun or impale its victim, slashes it into pieces or swallows it whole . Swordfish feed during the day , primarily on squid, but also fish and occasionally crustaceans

 

Swordfish  have special organs next to their eyes to heat their eyes and brains. Temperatures of 10 to 15°C above the surrounding water temperature have been measured. The heating of the eyes greatly improves their vision, and consequently improves their ability to catch prey.

Don't forget to link to ABC Wednesday and to mention the creator of this meme, Denise Nesbitt! 

See you!

Wil, ABCW Team