Re: When swordfish lay eggs, do they stay with them, or leave them?

Hi Cody:

When swordfish spawn, the female swordfish releases her eggs into the water (from 3 to 16 million eggs per spawning!), and the male releases his sperm into the water around the eggs. This is known as external fertilization. After spawning, the male and female don't have anything else to do with the eggs, and the eggs will hatch into larvae that begin to feed and fend for themselves. Swordfish are very large, and I doubt if an adult swordfish could even see one of its eggs, let along take care of it!

Reference: Marine and Coastal Species Information System: Swordfish

Hope that helps!
Rob Campbell, MAD Scientist