{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "swordfish",
  "name": "Swordfish",
  "scientificName": "Xiphias gladius",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "The swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a large, fast predatory fish of temperate and tropical open oceans, named for the long flattened bill that extends from its upper jaw. It can reach 3 m in length including the sword, weigh up to about 450 kg, and swim in bursts of up to 80 km/h. Swordfish hunt fish and squid in open water and typically live 9 to 15 years. The species is listed as Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Actinopterygii",
    "order": "Istiophoriformes",
    "family": "Xiphiidae",
    "genus": "Xiphias"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 450,
    "lengthM": 3,
    "topSpeedKmh": 80,
    "lifespanYears": 12
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Xiphias gladius"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (fish and squid)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Temperate and tropical open oceans"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "9–15 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "Up to 3 m (10 ft), bill included"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 80 km/h (50 mph)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, hunting from the surface down to deep water.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceans"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Xiphias gladius.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Xiphias%20gladius&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Xiphias gladius. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Xiphias_gladius/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Swordfish.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swordfish"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/swordfish/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/swordfish/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}