Swordfish
This striking specimen is the rostrum—or "sword"—of the swordfish (Xiphias gladius), a large predatory fish found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. The rostrum is a long, flat, blade-like extension of the upper jaw, evolved to slash through schools of prey, stunning or injuring fish with swift, powerful movements.
Typically comprising up to one-third of the swordfish’s total body length, the rostrum is made of dense, solid bone, and is highly hydrodynamic, helping reduce drag during high-speed pursuits. Swordfish are known to reach speeds over 60 km/h, and their rostrum plays a key role in their hunting strategy.
This specimen, from Madagascar, mounted in an iron stand, displays the natural tapering form and textured surface characteristic of adult swordfish, and may exhibit subtle grooves and weathering patterns from years in open water.