Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758

Marine

In the Atlantic Ocean, spawning occurs in the upper water layer at depths between 0 and 75 m, at temperatures around 23°C, and salinity of 33.8 to 37.4 ppt. The distribution of larval broadbill swordfish in the Pacific Ocean indicates that spawning occurs mainly in waters with a temperature of 24°C or more. Spawning appears to occur in all seasons in equatorial waters, but is restricted to spring and summer at higher latitudes . Fertilisation in broadbill swordfish is external and pairing of solitary males and females is thought to occur when spawning . Broadbill swordfish are reported to spawn in the upper layers of the water column, from the surface to a depth of 75 m . Estimates of egg numbers vary considerably, from 1 million to 16 million in 168,000 g female and 29 million in a 272,000 g female .

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Juveniles are common only in tropical and sub-tropical waters and migrate to higher latitudes as they mature . In southeastern Australian waters, sharp temperature and salinity gradients across oceanic fronts provide favourable conditions for concentrations of broadbill swordfish . Little is known of large scale movements by adult broadbill swordfish. Mature fish make only limited local movements . Tracking of fish using acoustic tags has shown that broadbill swordfish typically move to surface waters at night and inhabit deeper waters during the

Habitat pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; marine; depth range 0 - 800 m , usually 0 - 550 m

Data deficient (DD) IUCN 2006

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes