A swordfish is a large ocean fish with a long, flat, pointed upper jaw that looks like a sword. This “sword” (called a bill) can grow three to four feet long and makes the swordfish one of the most recognizable creatures in the sea.

Swordfish use their bills to slash through schools of smaller fish, stunning or injuring their prey before eating them. They're also very fast swimmers, and can weigh over 1,000 pounds. They live in warm and temperate waters around the world.

Because of their size, speed, and fighting spirit, swordfish are prized by sport fishers. They're also caught commercially and served in restaurants, where their firm, meaty texture makes them popular for grilling.

In literature and film, swordfish often appear as symbols of power and danger. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway features an epic battle between a fisherman and a giant marlin (a close relative of the swordfish), showing the respect these magnificent ocean predators command.