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Xiphiidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | 522 words | Copyright

Xiphiidae (swordfish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Perciformes) A monospecific family (Xiphias gladius) of marine fish that have a long, slightly flattened snout (‘sword’). These large fish can reach a length of 4.8 m. The pectoral fins are placed low on the body, opposite the large, but short-based, dorsal fin; the pelvic fins are absent. Like the related marlins (family Istiophoridae), the swordfish has a large, lunate tail fin, and it can swim very fast. It is distributed world-wide in warmer seas.

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