166 Hawaiian Fishes 



crossbars along the back but which do not reach the median line. This 

 fish is reported to reach a length of fourteen feet and to weigh over 

 1,000 pounds. It is the largest member of its kind. 



The black marlin is a tropical species and is found from Japan to 

 California. It is common in the Hawaiian Islands. 



In the past the species of marlins have been somewhat confused and 

 there is still some doubt if this is a distinct species. Many authorities feel 

 that this fish represents an old individual of a white or striped marlin. 



SWORDFISH OR BROADBILL FAMILY 



78 Family Xiphiidae 

 This family contains a single species related to the marlins. It differs 

 from the marlins by the absence of the scales, teeth and ventral fins in 

 the adults, by the single keel on the tail, by the high and short dorsal 

 fin which does not extend beyond the middle of the body, and by the flat 

 (marlins are rounded) spear or rostrum. It will reach a length of twenty 

 feet and weigh over 1,000 pounds. 



Common Swordfish or Au 



Also known as the Broadbill Swordfish and Espadon 

 78-1 Xipbias gladius Linne 



plate I, Figure 3 



The swordfish is of a dark metallic purplish color above and dusky 

 beneath. The fins are dark and silvery and the sword is black above and 

 light beneath. 



The swordfish is very muscular and a very rapid swimmer. It travels 

 near the surface in pursuit of the schools of mackerel and other fishes 

 on which it feeds. It is reported that the swordfish will slash about in 

 the school with its sword and then eat the wounded fishes at its leisure. 



The swordfish is a surface swimmer only in calm weather. It may 

 often be seen basking at the surface with the tip of the fin and the tail 



