Distribution:

Atlantic, Indian and Pacific: tropical and temperate and sometimes cold waters, including the Mediterranean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal softrays (total): 38-56; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft-rays: 16-18. Blackish-brown fading to light-brown below; 1st dorsal fin with blackish-brown membrane, other fins brown or blackish-brown. A long, flat, sword-like bill and no pelvic fins.

Biology:

Oceanic but sometimes found in coastal waters. Generally above the thermocline. Prefer temperatures of 18°C to 22°C. Larvae are frequently encountered at temperatures above 24 °C. Migrate toward temperate or cold waters in the summer and back to warm waters in the fall. Adults are opportunistic feeders, known to forage for their food from the surface to the bottom over a wide depth range. Use their sword to kill their prey. Feed mainly on fishes but also on crustaceans and squids. Good food fish, marketed fresh or frozen, and can be made into sashimi, teriyaki or fillets. Large individuals may accumulate large percentages of mercury in its flesh. Spawning takes place in Atlantic during spring in southern Sargasso Sea. Females grow fastest. Determination of age is difficult since the otoliths are very small and scales are missing in adults. Year rings have been successfully counted on cross sections of the fin rays. Pelagic eggs measure 1.6-1.8mm and the newly hatched larvae is 4 mm long. Sword is well developed at a length of 10mm and young live pelagically in the upper water layers where they quickly develop into very voracious predators.

Max. size: 450.0 cm

Max.weight: 650 Kg

Environment: pelagic; depth range 0 - 800 m

Climate: temperate; 5 - 27°C; 60°N - 45°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Pez Espada