Swordfish are found in tropical and temperate waters in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans between the latitudes of 45 degrees North and 45 degrees South. They prefer warm water in winter and cold water in summer and are most commonly found between 64 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Swordfish are also found in deep waters, from the surface to depths of more than 2,000 feet.
What does a swordfish eat?
Swordfish are carnivores and feed primarily on small bony fish and cephalopods, such as jumbo squid, octopus, Northern anchovies, Pacific Hake, and mackerel. They capture prey by slashing their bill back and forth, stunning or injuring prey in the process. Swordfish also feed opportunistically throughout the water column, taking prey at the surface, mid-water and even near the ocean floor.
What country eats the most swordfish?
According to reports, Spain is the country that eats the most swordfish. Spain accounts for 41 percent of the North Atlantic swordfish catch, with the United States coming in second at 29 percent. Additionally, Spain is the leader in the South Atlantic swordfish catch, with Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, and Uruguay following closely behind.
Is a swordfish a predator or prey?
Swordfish are predators, and they hunt and consume a variety of prey such as other fish, squid and octopuses. Juvenile swordfish are more vulnerable to predation, and they can be eaten by larger fish, sharks, whales, and other marine predators.
Do swordfish live in the Arctic ocean?
Yes, swordfish can be found in the Arctic Ocean. They are typically found in shallow waters near the edge of continental shelves and drift with the currents, following schools of prey.