Get to Know the 13 Rarest Fish Species in the World!

RochakGuy October 5, 2024

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Are you an ichthyophile? Do you love fishes and aquariums? Well, if the answer is yes, then you must read this article as we are going to discuss about fish species and of course, not only the fish species but a complete 13 rarest of them. Without wasting any time, let us jump on to the list of our rarest fishes.

1. Coelacanth

Scientific name: Latimeria chalumnae

Found in the deep waters of the Indian Ocean, this brownish gray coloured fish having white spots is of 90 kgs in weight. Being elongated and having scaly skin and fatty fin, it survives in the temperature range of 10 to 20 degrees celsius in the depth of around 100 to 700 meters. Being the critically endangered species, it feeds on small fishes.

Interesting facts: thought to be extinct until the rediscovery in 1938 and is a living fossil from the early cretaceous period

2. Goblin Shark

Scientific name: Mitsukurina owstoni

Having the distinctive jaw and dental structure, the fish is elongated and have a flattened snout. Being pinkish brown in colour, it has a weight up to 160 kgs with a length of 3.9 metres. You can find this fish globally in the deep waters where they feed on small fishes and squids.

Interesting facts: rarely encountered by humans, this fish has bioluminescent spots on the belly area.

3. Vaquita

Scientific name: Phocoena sinus

With a length of 1.5 metres and 50 kgs in weight, this good looking fish has a distinctive ring like eyes which you will find attractive. The fish lives in shallow waters of the Gulf of California in the brackish salinity within the temperature range of 15 to 25 degrees celsius.

Interesting facts: discovered in 1958, the fish is famous for its attractive ring like eyes and is the smallest porpoise species.

4. Asiatic Cheetah Fish

Scientific name: Pseudolaguvia shawi

First described in 2005, this elongated and slender fish lives in freshwater with a length of 8 cm. Being brownish grey in colour with yellowish strips, the fish lives in the freshwater of Bangladesh and India. Due to the overfishing and habitat destruction, the fish has been classified as an endangered species by the IUCN.

Interesting facts: the fish is rarely seen by humans due to its nocturnal habits.

5. Red Handfish

Scientific name: Thymichthys politus

Classified as the endangered species by IUCN, the fish has a length of 10 cm with a flat and rounded body shape. Being reddish brown in colour having yellowish spots, it feeds on small invertebrates and live in the marine salinity of coastal waters of Australia and Tasamnia.

Interesting facts: one of the rarest fishes in the world, this fish has a unique hand like pectoral fins.

6. Devil’s Hole Pupfish

Scientific name: Cyprinodon diabolis

Having classified as the most or critically endangered species in the world, this fish will not only attract you with its glittery view but being the smallest in size, it has a unique adaptation to the Devil’s Hole. Being in the temperature range of 30 to 34 degrees celsius, the fish feeds on algae and small invertebrates.

Interesting facts: being the smallest species, it is featured on US Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Most Endangered” list.

7. Golden Mahseer

Scientific name: Tor putitora

Found in the freshwater of India, Nepal and Bhutan, it is a 2.5 metres long and 50 kgs weighted endangered species. Having a unique dorsal fin and barbels, it is a migratory species which feeds on aquatic plants, small fishes and insects.

Interesting facts: being the cultural significance in the Himalayan region, the fish can live up to 10 years.

8. Tapanahony River Stingray

Scientific name: Potamotrygon tapanahoniensis

Having a flat and disc shape body of brownish grey colour with yellow spots, it not only have a distinctive snout and tail spines but uses electroreception to navigate and feeds on crustaceans and small insects. Being vulnerable, measurements and steps are being taken in its conservation.

Interesting facts: first described in 2008, it is a unique and traditional Surinamese cuisine.

9. Frilled Shark

Scientific name: Chlamydoselachus anguineus

Having the slender body shape like eel, the fish is a long 2 metres creature having the colour from dark brown to black. Being vulnerable, it is found in the deep waters globally and can sustain itself in the temperature range of 2 to 15 degrees celsius.

Interesting facts: having a unique dental structure of up to 300+ teeths, the fish is a living fossil from early Jurassic period and can live up to 50 years.

10. Damsel Fish

Scientific name: Pomacentrus azureus

Being the brightest blue in colour with having yellow tail and fins and having distinctive blue strips on head, it has an oval body shape and feeds on algae and small invertebrates. The fish is found in the coral reefs of the Indo Pacific region.

Interesting facts: popularly known for its vibrant coloration, it is an aquarium fish and is a protogynous hermaphroditism; can change sex from female to male.

11. Shortnose Sturgeon

Scientific name: Acipenser brevirostrum

Being classified as an endangered species, the fish has an elongated and torpedo like body shape with grayish brown colour. Found in the coastal waters and rivers of North America, it lives in the salinity of fresh to marine waters as it is an anadromous.

Interesting facts: one of the oldest living species of around 200 million years, it can grow up to 100 kgs in captivity and is used as an indicator species for the health of the ecosystem.

12. Humphead Wrasse

Scientific name: Cheilinus undulatus

Having the weight up to 190 kgs, it is an elongated fish with greenish grey colour having spots and stripes. As it is scattered from the Red Sea to Australia and Japan to Fiji, it lives in the marine salinity and is a protogynous hermaphroditism.

Interesting facts: being an important predator in the coral reef ecosystem, the fish can live up to 30 years and is vulnerable to overfishing due to its large size.

13. Mekong Giant Catfish

Scientific name: Pangasianodon gigas

Being critically endangered, it lives in the freshwater of Mekong river and sustains itself in the 20 to 25 degrees celsius. Being a migratory species, it can live up to 60 years and feeds on small fish and algae.

Interesting facts: being the cultural significance in the Mekong river communities, the fish can grow up to 10 kgs per year.

We guess that you liked not only the interesting facts about these rarest fishes but also the knowledge and the efforts to conserve them as much as possible as these are just not the living beings but the beautiful and precious creatures of our Earth.