In the Pacific, swordfish larvae and juveniles are restricted to areas of upwelling where high productivity provides favorable conditions. Life History Reproduction Swordfish are heterosexual. There is no external difference between males and females, except large swordfish are usually female. They are apparently solitary and rarely gather in schools. A mature female produces tens of millions of eggs and fertilization is external.
Information concerning size and age of maturity is minimal and some is contradictory.
Age at first maturity is about 5-6 years. Food and Growth Adult swordfish are opportunistic feeders on squid, pelagic and demersal fishes, and crustaceans. They may utilize their bill to kill their prey - rising from beneath a school of fish, swinging the sword from side to side, then consuming the fish that were killed. Larvae swordfish feed primarily on fish larvae and zooplankton. Juveniles feed on squid and small fishes.