Polyodon spathula (Mississippi polyodon)

The spathula polyodon, more commonly known as sword fish, is a freshwater fish native to North America. It is an imposing fish, up to a length of 2.5 meters and a weight of almost 45 kg. Its most distinctive characteristic is its large mouth, which ends with a long and narrow jaw in the shape of a sword.

The sword fish has a gray-green color on top and white on the belly. Its dorsal fin is long and sharp, and its caudal fin is in the shape of a button. It also has two pectoral fins and two pelvic fins.

The sword fish feeds mainly with smaller fish, which it captures thanks to its long jaw. It can also eat crustaceans and aquatic insects. The sword fish is a migratory fish, which moves in the rivers and the streams to reproduce. Reproduction takes place in summer, when the females lay their eggs on the plants immersed in the water.

The sword fish is an important fish for the indigenous peoples of North America, who consider it a symbol of strength and bravery. It is also used in sports fishing, although its size and strength make it a difficult to capture. Due to its cultural and economic importance, sword fish is protected in several American states.