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Found worldwide in temperate and tropical oceanic and continental shelf waters from the surface to depths of 400-50O fathoms or more. Except when spawning, females prefer cool, deep waters near submarine canyons or coral banks. Males prefer to remain in somewhat warmer waters.

Characteristically, it has a smooth, very broad, flattened sword (broadbill) that is significantly longer and wider than the bill of any other billfish. Adults lack scales and swordfish of all sizes lack ventral fins.

The back may be dark brown, bronze, dark metallic purple, grayish blue or black. The sides may be dark like the back or dusky. The belly and lower sides of the head are dirty white or light brown. This pelagic, migratory species usually travels alone. It uses its sword for defense and to kill or stun food such as squid, dolphin, mackerel, bluefish and various other midwater and deep-sea pelagic species.

Fishing methods include presenting trolling baits or deep drifting at night with bait such as squid. They often bask on the surface with their dorsal and tail fins protruding from the water, making them susceptible to harpooners and longliners who make the majority of swordfish catches.

Usually the bait must be presented carefully and repeatedly before the swordfish will take it. The soft mouth makes hookup uncertain and the slashing bill can make short work of an angler's line or leader. Squid is the most popular bait, though Spanish mackerel, eel, mullet, herring, tuna and live or dead bonito are also used. To land a broadbill is considered by many to be the highest achievement in angling. Very large swordfish are always females. The males seldom exceed 200 Ib (90 kg).