fish
44 questions tagged fish — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Which Is the Smallest Fish in the World?
Paedocypris progenetica, a tiny carp from Indonesian peat swamps, can mature at just 7.9 millimetres long.
How Do Flying Fish Fly?
Flying fish don't truly fly; they burst out of the water at speed and glide on large, wing-like fins, sometimes for hundreds of metres.
Which fish can breathe air with lungs?
Lungfish have true lungs and can breathe air; some African species survive for years in dried mud.
Why do clownfish live safely among sea anemones?
Clownfish are protected because a special mucus coating helps them avoid being stung by the anemone’s tentacles. In return, the fish help clean, defend, and feed the anemone.
Why do deep-sea anglerfish have glowing lures?
The lure attracts prey in the dark depths where sunlight does not reach. The glow comes from bioluminescent bacteria living in the fish’s lure.
Why do swordfish have long bills?
Swordfish use their long bills to slash, stun, or herd prey such as squid and fish. The bill also helps them move efficiently through open water.
Why do flying fish leap out of the water?
Flying fish leap to escape predators and use enlarged fins to glide above the surface. This can let them travel surprisingly far without swimming through the water.
What is a lanternfish?
A lanternfish is a small deep-sea fish with light-producing organs called photophores. It is one of the most abundant vertebrates in the ocean.
Which fish is the fastest in the ocean?
The sailfish is often cited as the fastest fish in the ocean. It has been recorded at speeds of around 110 km/h, though estimates vary.
Which fish lays the most eggs at one time?
The ocean sunfish is among the most fecund vertebrates, producing up to hundreds of millions of eggs in a single spawning. Estimates have suggested as many as 300 million eggs.
Which fish is the largest known bony fish in the world?
The ocean sunfish is the largest known bony fish. Large individuals can weigh more than 2,000 kilograms and reach over 3 meters in length.
Which fish is the largest migratory species in coastal marine waters?
The bluefin tuna is one of the largest migratory fish in the ocean. It can reach more than 3 meters in length and cross entire ocean basins.
Which sea animal has the longest body relative to its weight among marine vertebrates?
The ribbon eel has one of the most elongated bodies among marine vertebrates relative to its weight. Adults can look like thin ribbons, making them especially distinctive.
Which fish is the largest in the ocean?
The whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean. It can grow to about 12 metres or more, with some reports of individuals approaching 18 metres.
Why do remora fish hitch rides on sharks and turtles?
Remoras use a suction disc on their heads to attach to larger animals for transport and access to food scraps. The ride saves energy and can help them reach new feeding opportunities.
Why do seahorses have curled tails?
Seahorses use their curled tails to grip sea grass, coral, and other structures. This helps them stay anchored in moving water and save energy.
What is a blobfish?
A blobfish is a deep-sea fish famous for its soft, gelatinous body. It lives under extreme pressure that helps support its shape underwater.
What is a hatchetfish?
A hatchetfish is a deep-sea fish with a deep, blade-like body shaped like a hatchet. Some species can use silvery sides to reflect faint light and blend in above them.
What is a barreleye fish?
A barreleye fish is a deep-sea fish with a transparent head and tubular eyes. Those eyes point upward to spot prey above it.
What is an anglerfish?
An anglerfish is a deep-sea predator that uses a glowing lure to attract prey. The lure is a modified spine tipped with light-producing bacteria in many species.
What is a remora?
A remora is a fish that can attach itself to larger animals using a suction disc on its head. It rides on sharks, rays, turtles, and even boats.
What is a cleaner wrasse?
A cleaner wrasse is a reef fish that removes parasites and dead skin from larger fish. It works at cleaning stations where many species line up to be serviced.
What is a fangtooth fish?
A fangtooth fish is a deep-sea fish with disproportionately large teeth for its body size. It has one of the biggest teeth-to-body ratios known in fish.
What is an oarfish?
An oarfish is a very long, ribbon-shaped deep-sea fish. It is among the longest bony fishes known, with some reaching several meters in length.
What is a seahorse?
A seahorse is a small marine fish with an upright body and a horse-like head. Males carry the developing young in a brood pouch.
What is a pipefish?
A pipefish is a slender marine fish related to seahorses. It has a long tube-like snout and a body covered by armor-like rings.
What is a pufferfish?
A pufferfish is a fish that can inflate its body when threatened. Many species also contain potent toxins, including tetrodotoxin.
When was the coelacanth first rediscovered by scientists?
In 1938, after being known only from fossils for millions of years.
When was the whale shark first scientifically described?
The whale shark was first described in 1828.
When was the lionfish first scientifically described?
The red lionfish was first described in 1758.
When was the pufferfish first scientifically described?
The common pufferfish was first described in 1758.
When was the seahorse first scientifically described?
The lined seahorse was first described in 1758.
Which seahorse is the smallest known fish?
The tiny pygmy seahorses are among the smallest known fish, with some species only about 2 centimeters long.
Which fish can swim the fastest in short bursts?
The black marlin is often cited as the fastest fish, with estimated burst speeds around 80 to 100 kilometers per hour.
Which fish is the fastest swimmer in the ocean?
The sailfish is widely regarded as the fastest fish, with reliable estimates putting it around 110 km/h (about 68 mph) in short bursts.
Which deep-sea fish lives at the greatest known depths?
The hadal snailfish has been found deeper than any other fish, with verified records from the Mariana Trench at around 8,000 meters and deeper.
Which fish is the largest bony fish alive today?
The ocean sunfish, or Mola mola, is the heaviest bony fish, and adults can weigh well over 1,000 kg.
Which fish has the strongest known electric shock?
The electric eel can deliver shocks of up to about 860 volts, making it the strongest natural bioelectric generator known.
Which eel grows the longest?
The slender giant moray is among the longest eels, with some individuals reaching around 3 meters.
Which fish is the best-known deep-sea bioluminescent predator?
The anglerfish is the classic bioluminescent ambush predator, using a glowing lure to attract prey in the dark deep ocean.
Which fish has the biggest eyes relative to its body size?
The barreleye fish is famous for its proportionally huge, tubular eyes that help it detect prey in the deep sea.
How do electric eels generate such strong shocks?
Electric eels produce electricity with specialized cells called electrocytes stacked like batteries. A large eel can emit shocks of up to about 600 volts.
How do remora fish stick to sharks and other large animals?
Remoras use a flattened suction disc on their heads to grip onto larger animals. The disc is made from a modified first dorsal fin.
How do pufferfish inflate themselves into a ball?
Pufferfish gulp water, or air when out of water, to rapidly expand their bodies. Their skin and stomach can stretch dramatically to make them harder to eat.