How is a marlin and a swordfish different?

I thought I'd try something different today than the usual fish identification post. Instead, we're going to talk about telling the difference between two fish: the marlin and the swordfish. read more

Swordfish, on the other hand, have a dorsal fin more like a shark, and even extends far up, looking somewhat like a feather. Here is a picture of a marlin: Compare that to this picture of a swordfish. read more

• Swordfish belong to the Family: Xiphiidae while marlins belong to Family: Istiophoridae. • Swordfish is a single species whereas there are eleven species of marlins. read more

Another visual difference between the marlin and the swordfish is that marlins have pelvic fins, which are located on the underside of the fish near its head. Swordfish do not have pelvic fins. Marlins also have double caudal keels, while swordfish have a single one. read more

Swordfish, on the other hand, have a dorsal fin more like a shark, and even extends far up, looking somewhat like a feather. Here is a picture of a marlin: Compare that to this picture of a swordfish. Notice also that swordfish have pectoral fins that extend below its body, whereas a marlin’s pectoral fins are small and barely visible. read more