♪ Wild Kratts Martin: In the tropical and subtropical regions of the sea, lives an apex predator.

Hey, it's us the Kratt Brothers.

I'm Martin.

I'm Chris and these are some young ducklings.

Chris: Aren't they cute?

Now you might be thinking, what do these little ducklings ha ve to do with a sea creature?

They don't live in the ocean.

And you're right.

They don't.

But check out their bills.

Chris: Bill or beaks are those hard extensions on a bird's face.

Martin: Bills come in all different shapes and sizes.

Flamingoes and pelicans have bills designed to catch food and water.

Chris: While hummingbirds use straw-like bills to suck up nectar from flowers.

Martin: And raptors, like hawks and eagles, have sharp beaks to cut meat.

So now we all know that birds have bills, but have you ever heard of a fish with a bill?

Well it's true.

They exist.

In fact, there's a whole group of fish in the ocean called billfish.

Chris: Like marlins, sailfish and swordfish too.

Their bills are like swords jutting out of their faces and like real swords, their bills are not all the same.

Hey, check out this classic old sword.

It's called a rapier.

Martin: This is a long thin sword and it's very similar to the shape of the bill of a sailfish and a marlin.

And this is a broad sword.

Chris: This is more the shape of a swordfish.

You can see the difference between the broad sword.

And the rapier.

Martin: But very little is known about the mysterious billfish and their life style.

Imagine if we could swim like billfish.

Imagine if we had billfish power.

Both: What if?

♪ On adventure with the coolest creatures ♪ From the oceans to the trees ♪ The Brothers Kratt are going places you never get to see ♪ Hanging with their creature friends ♪ Get ready it's the hour ♪ We're gonna save some animals to day with Creature Power ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild wild Wild Kratts ♪ Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild wild wild ♪ Cheetah speed and lizard glide ♪ Falcon flight and lion pride ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild wild Wild Kratts ♪ Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild wild Wild Kratts ♪ Go wild wild Wild Kratts.

Chris: Choose your swordfish.

(swords clanking) Gotcha.

Okay, where'd you learn to do that?

Science camp.

We didn't do science the whole time you know.

Jimmy Z: Wahoo!!

Chris: Wow.

Martin: Cool.

That was awesome.

What a cool sport.

It's called fencing.

These are called foils and they're not sharp.

Well, that's good.

Okay, so who's next?

Aviva: Anyone want to take me on?

Uh, go ahead Martin, you first.

No, I insist.

Martin: You first.

C'mon guys.

Choose your weapon.

Really, we're not fighters.

We're adventurers.

Yeah, we'd better stick to creatures.

Well, there are creatures that have swords, aren't there?

Both: Swordfish!

And its not just swordfish.

Chris: Marlins and sailfish have cool swords too.

All three of them do.

Alright!

Well then, choose your sword fish and let's make a Power Suit.

Chris: Yes, alright!

Martin: Oh ho, let's do it!

Ooh, but which do we choose?

What are the differences?

We gotta figure this out!

Have adventure gear.

Ready for the creatures!

Whoa!

Got one!

Jimmy Z: Whoa!

It's a big one!

Hold on Jimmy!

We're coming!

Oh!

Get me off this ride!

Chris: Wow!

A blue marlin!

What an incredible fish!

Now that name has a good ring to it.

Blue marlin, blue Martin?

Really?

Jimmy Z: Hello?

Remember me?

We forgot Jimmy.

Martin: We've got to release magnetic fishing lure.

Demagnitize!

Huh?

Jimmy Z: Hey!

Woah!

Aaahh..hey...oof.aw.. Oh.

Chris: Swimming free and in the wild.

I love Aviva's special hookless fishing lures.

Martin: Wow, what a cool sword on your face.

It's long, ow and sharp!

Chris: Check it out.

The sword is made up of a long bone extension.

The bone is extra dense and strong.

Very hard to break, compared to a lot of other bones.

Martin: And it's covered with tiny teeth which makes it a thousand times sharper.

Jimmy Z: Guys!

Chris: Easy Jimmy.

You're startling him.

Both: Whoa!

Martin: He's circling around.

Ah!

Great, sliced and diced by a marlin.

Well, now we know the marlin's sword is super sharp.

Help!

I'm out in the middle of the ocean.

With fish that have swords on their faces!

Koki: It's okay Jimmy, we've got ya.

Besides, it's not like these fish go around poking people Koki: with their swords for fun.

I'm gonna see if they've chosen a fish.

Well?

Aviva, I've picked my swordfish.

I've gotta have the blue marlin.

Why am I not surprised?

You sure bro?

We haven't even seen the other billfish yet.

Billfish?

That's what the group of fish with swords on their faces are called.

Chris: Billfish.

For that bony sword-like bill.

Oh yeah, I'm sure.

How could I pick anything else?

It's gotta be the blue marlin.

Then blue marlin it is.

I'll get to work on the power suit.

What swordfish will you choose Chris?

Hmm, I've gotta see the others first.

Don't worry, I'll get back to you on that.

Now what is happening in the world that I can exploit Zach: to make me rich?

Today, a group of kids helped deliver groceries to seniors.

Yeah, whatever.

Katie: Also, in the news, scientists have just completed a survey of the oceans and determined that populations of many types of fish are getting smaller.

We must.

Hmm, a shortage of fish, huh?

Well that's good, for me.

See, if I can catch the rest of the fish before anyone else does then everybody will have to get their fish from me!

I'll make them pay me a lot of money and I'll be rich!

(laughing maniacally) Well, I mean, richer.

(laughing maniacally) No, that way takes too long.

Besides ever since that kid beat me in the fishing contest, I don't even like fishing.

I need to figure out a way to catch all the fish in the ocean, fast.

Zach: Not bad.

Whoa!

But that's better.

What was that thing?

Zach: Quick follow that beast.

I'll make it my personal fish catching robot (laughs).

(upbeat music) Martin: So marlin, you're the bi ggest of the billfish, right?

Can get to 16 feet?

That's huge.

We have a lot in common, you know.

I mean, I'm the bigger Kratt bro.

Hey, but I'm the faster one.

Chris: Whoa!

Did you see that?

You mean that torpedo-like blur?

Chris: Whoa!

Both: Sailfish!

Chris: Wait up!

(alarm wailing) Huh?

Chris: Oh, I'm maxing out this manta sled!

I'm going over 30 miles per hour!

One of the highest speeds ever recorded for a fish!

Chris: That's why most people agree that sailfish, and billfish in general, are the fastest swimmers in the world!

This is almost leopard speed!

Martin: And it's much harder to move through water than it is to move through air.

Aviva: It's their streamlined body that helps.

Look at this.

See, I have two fishmobiles with the same motor.

One is streamlined and one isn't.

Aviva: The fishmobile that's not streamlined gets lots of resistance from th e water and can't go as fast.

But if it has a streamlined shape, Aviva: it can move through the water faster.

Martin: Whoa!

And they can go even faster when they leap in and out of the water!

Chris and Martin: Whoo-hoo!

(alarm wailing) Uh-oh, our manta sleds are starting to overheat.

The motor is working hard Chris: because we're not streamlined like the sailfish.

Oh no, she canna take much more!

Hit the brakes!

(grunts) Whoo-hoo, that was close.

We were almost shishkabobed.

(clanks) Chris: Oh.

Whacked instead.

We're still better of, I guess.

Martin: Oops!

Sorry guys.

We'll get those off for you.

(grunting) (device beeps) Guys, what's going on?

Just a little manta sled mishap.

Well, there you go.

Look, we found some sailfish.

Chris: They're so fast our manta sleds couldn't keep up with them.

Whoa, a mako shark.

Oh ho, the fastest shark in the ocean.

Martin: Going after the fastest fish in the ocean.

Whoa!

Chris: But the mako needs to be successful with the first surprise attack.

Otherwise, the billfish are just too fast.

Wait, no!

Chris: Sailfish, come back!

No, don't go!

They're gone, bro.

Oh... Chris: I was going to choose them as my sword fish.

Zach: Woo!

I got it, I got it.

Ha!

Yes!

I caught the beast with my Tetherbeam!

Zach: Haul it over!

Haul it over!

Zach: No!

Don't haul my Zachbot over.

Haul the shark over!

Zach: Over here.

Yes, I have my mako!

Zach: Now don't look so angry.

You'll like working for me.

You see, together we will catch all the fish in the ocean!

(laughing manically) Koki: Well it looks like you'll ne ed to use the Amphisub while I repair these manta sleds.

And Chris, you'd better pick a sword quickly.

I've made a lot of progress on Martin's marlin suit and it's almost ready for testing.

Oh, boy.

Okay, I'm on it.

All set, Koki.

Bombs away!

Martin: Sailfish, swordfish!

Where are you?

Uh, I don't think they come when you call them, bro.

Martin: Well, at least these guys got the memo.

Look it's a school of mackerel.

Chris: Cool, but they're not billfish.

Chris and Martin: Whoa!

Swordfish!

Martin: Whoa, he's huge!

And look at that amazing sword.

They have the longest sword of all Chris: the billfish.

And we're witnessing exactly how he uses it.

Martin: He spots a school of fish and swims up to them.

Then, slashes his sword!

Chris: He shakes his head back and forth in a quick, surgical move.

Martin: Slashing, whacking, stunning the fish!

Chris: And boom, the swordfish has his meal.

Amazing.

Now that is swordsmanship.

Martin: And that's how billfish us e their swords for hunting.

What a creature power!

And guess what Martin?

I'm ready to choose my sword fish.

Chris: The actual swordfish!

Well, since the billfish are all pretty closely related, I can do both Creature Power Suits pretty quickly.

Let's focus on the differences.

The sailfish have a big fin up top, Aviva: that scientists think helps them turn, steer and corral fish.

Koki: But the marlin's dorsal fin isn't as big.

It comes down in a ridge that runs along the back.

Aviva: And the swordfish doesn't have a ridge, but has a taller, more shark-like fin.

And long pectoral fins too.

Got it!

But all fast swimmers and all with a cool sword.

That's right, but their swords are a little different too.

To a sword expert like you maybe.

Look, the marlin and the sailfish have rounded narrow swords.

Aviva: More like rapiers.

The kind of sword that was used hundreds of years ago.

No sharp edges, but pointy and stiff.

But the swordfish bill is more like this sword, the broad sword.

This one is flattened with sharp edges on each side.

Aviva: See the difference?

Round and pointy for the marlin.

Flat and sharp-edged for the swordfish.

That's cool.

So Chris and Martin are each getting different types of swords.

That's right.

Yum, fruit salad.

Thanks, Aviva.

Now, let's get these Creature Power Discs ready for testing!

Hey guys, now that you've chosen your swordy fish, it's time for a duel.

Ready to activate your Creature Powers?

Both: Oh, yeah!

When have we ever said we weren't ready?

Okay, marlin powers for Martin.

Swordfish powers for Chris.

Martin: Yeah, insert marlin disc.

Touch marlin.

Activate blue marlin power!

Chris: Activate swordfish power!

Chris and Martin: Woo hoo!

Amazing streamlined body.

Long, double-edged sword.

Chris: Awesome.

Ridged dorsal fin.

Rounded, pointy sword.

Love it!

En garde!

Oh, yeah.

Ooh, you are a formidable opponent brother o' mine.

But the marlin sword is light and quick.

Ah, but lest you forget, this longer sword is wielded by a highly-trained master swordsfish, Chris: me!

(device beeps) Jimmy Z: Uh, Aviva?

I thought billfish didn't use their swords for fighting.

Just for getting food.

Yeah, they don't.

Chris and Martin: Oh!

But this is the Kratt brother version of the sport of fencing.

Just some creature fun.

Aviva: Okay guys, lets see some of the moves I taught you.

Take that!

Touche!

But the blue marlin cannot be defeated that easily.

Chris: Oooh.

Ah, You forget I am fighting for the honor of swordfish everywhere.

This could go on for a while.

Zach: One last thing.

Yes!

It's finally complete.

One of my greatest inventions yet.

I call it the Mako-Me-Rich 2000.

Get it?

Mako-Me-Rich.

It's a mako shark, it's.

Oh, forget it.

The Mako-Me-Rich 2000 or MMR2000 for short, will now demonstrate Zach: why I've given it that name.

MMR2000, fetch me every fish in the ocean and mako me rich!

(laughing maniacally) (suspenseful music) It's working!

Keep going.

Keep going.

Soon all the fish in the world will be mine!

All mine.

(laughing maniacally) Swordfish are powerful, strong and tough to tire out.

Yes, and a marlin never quits.

Creature fencing is pretty entertaining stuff.

Huh?

Aviva: Martin, Chris, something's wrong down here!

The mako, he's back.

Yeah, but he's different.

What's going on?

Yes, more!

Bring me more!

All: Zach!

He's catching fish with a mind-controlled mako!

We've gotta stop him!

Jimmy, bring me my fencing gear.

Chris and Martin: Zach!

Zach: Huh?

Wild rats!

Chris and Martin: It's Wild Kratts.

Get them!

Before they meddle with my Mako-Me-Rich 2000!

Chris: Yikes!

We gotta lose these Zachbots.

Let's show them what the fastest fish in the ocean can do.

Martin: Whoa, he's going after our swordfish pal.

Chris: I've heard swordfish will go on the defensive against makos.

Makos have been found dead, speared by swordfish.

Martin: Our friend got away.

Let's use our billfish powers to slow him down.

Chris: Uh-oh, incoming!

Chris and Martin: En garde!

Chris: Aah!

Gotcha!

Whoa!

Swordfish power.

(grunting) Whoa!

Wow, these swords really are good defenses too.

Shall we?

Chris: Let's go.

Sorry Zachbot, we've been practicing.

Zach: No!

Well, those creature powers may work on the Zachbots.

But my mako is another story.

MMR2000, Zach: get those brothers.

Both: Uh-oh.

Chris: Whoa, He's fast!

And we haven't figured out the tail swish yet.

Martin: I don't think we're maxing out our speed.

Chris: I know.

(laughing maniacally) Zach: You will never stop my MMR2000.

Zach: You might as well give up, fishies!

Oh no.

Chris and Martin: Aah!

Martin: He got us.

Zach: Good catch.

Bring them here sharkie.

Whoa!

Aviva: Not so fast, Zach!

My name is Aviva Corcovado.

You have captured my friends.

Prepare to pay.

Huh, Aviva?

Remember, I did this sport at science camp too.

And you'll never get Zach: my controller.

Oh, yes I will.

Let's fence.

En garde!

Parry.

That was close.

Ha, hair cut.

Chris: Ow.

Easy Aviva, don't jostle the controls.

Martin: These teeth are sharp.

Chris: Yeah.

Aviva: Woo hoo!

Touche.

Zach: Oh!

You're good, but not as good as me.

(grunting) So there!

Huh?

Aviva: Yes!

You can't beat us Zach.

Zach: Uh oh.

You were saying?

Aviva: I'll take that.

Zach: My controller!

Oh, no you don't.

It's mine!

Whoa!

I don't feel like sword fighting anymore.

MMR2000, release!

Both: Thanks Aviva.

Living free and in the wild!

Swim fish, swim!

Zach: Fish stampede!

Now you'd better get out of here Zach.

I'm going to release this mako, and I don't think he's going to be happy with how you've been treating him.

Nice fishie.

I never liked fish anyway.

I'm more of a chicken guy.

Aviva: Adios.

Zach: I'll get you next time wild rats.

That's Wild Kratts and you're free Aviva: beautiful mako shark!

(gasps) Zach: Let's motor!

Chris: Well, that's mission accomplished.

We learned about the similarities and differences of three kinds of billfish.

Chris: Swordfish.

Martin: Marlin.

Chris: And sailfish.

And we saved all the fish in the ocean from Zach.

I can't believe he wanted to catch all the fish in the ocean, come on.

Yeah, fishing's fun, but we need to be careful about how many fish we take out of the ocean.

So fish populations stay healthy and strong.

You got that right.

Hey guys, now that you have your creaturey swords, are you ready to challenge me yet?

Well, we could use a little more practice.

Aviva: C'mon.

Two against one!

Both: Okay.

Woo.

(grunting) Aviva: En garde.

Touche.

Martin: She's really good.

Chris: I think this was a bad idea.

So the billfish are sleek, fast, living torpedoes of the sea.

Among the fastest swimmers in the ocean, with that awesome sword, perfect for catching prey and maybe even defense.

Let's check out three main types of billfish.

First up, the marlins.

My favorite, they are the giants of the billfish family.

Martin: This is a black marlin.

A monster among billfish.

It can reach lengths of 16 feet and weigh over 1,600 pounds.

Chris: And marlins are fast.

These striped marlins are showing off their hunting skills.

And even though marlin swords are small, they know how to use them.

Next up is the sailfish.

The most colorful of the billfish with that impressive sail-like fin.

It's the type of billfish that's most often Martin: found in groups.

These sailfish are hunting a school of sardines.

They use their giant sails to steer and corral fish into a ball.

Then they can dart in and use their bills to slash at the fish.

Cutting or stunning them.

And they get their meal.

Now these fish can change their colors.

Nobody is exactly sure why.

Maybe to communicate, maybe based on mood, maybe to scare predators.

It's still largely a mystery to science.

And finally, my personal favorite, perhaps the most mysterious of all the billfish, the swordfish.

This massive predator likes the deepest, darkest waters Chris: and has the largest bill of all.

It's so rarely seen in its natural habitat, people only get glimpses.

The swordfish is probably the most aggressive of all the billfish and there's evidence that they even use their sword to fight back against their enemy, Chris: the speedy mako shark.

The fastest shark in the ocean.

So we know the members of the billfish family are super impressive torpedoes of the sea.

With incredible sword wielding creature powers.

They're great fellow creatures that we're lucky to share the planet with.

Yeah.

Hey and keep on creature adventuring.

We'll see you on the creature trail.

(cheerful music) Chris: To find out more about cool animals.

Martin: And collect your own Wild Kratts Creature Powers.

Chris: Got to the Wild Kratts website.

Martin: At pbskids.org.

Chris and Martin: We'll see you there.