There are many remarkable records among the world's fish species. Do you know which ones they are? For example, the largest fish in the world is the whale shark, while the smallest is the goby. Furthermore, the fastest swimming fish in the world is the sailfish, and the longest-living fish is the pike. Also, the fish that lays the most eggs in the world is the ocean sunfish, and the fish that migrates the farthest distance is the European eel. Additionally, the fish with the strongest electric discharge in the world is the electric eel. Next, we will introduce these fascinating facts in detail. Let's take a look!
1. The world's largest fish (whale shark)
The largest fish in the world is the whale shark, belonging to the family Scalycidae and the genus Scalycidae. It is the largest fish in the world. Typically, they range in length from 9 to 12 meters, with the largest individuals reaching up to 20 meters in length and weighing an astonishing 12,500 kilograms, making them the largest fish in the world. Furthermore, whale sharks possess a mouth that can be up to 1.5 meters wide. Whale sharks are mainly distributed in tropical and temperate seas, and are also found in various sea areas of China during the summer and autumn. Their diet mainly includes plankton, giant algae, krill, and small free-swimming animals such as krill, crab larvae, jellyfish, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, small tuna, squid, algae, small octopuses, crabs, and fish eggs.
2. The world's smallest fish (goby)
The small goby, with an average adult male length of 0.87 cm and an average adult female length of 0.88 cm, is the smallest fish in the world. There are approximately 800 species of small gobies worldwide, belonging to the order Perciformes and suborder Gobiformes. These tiny fish primarily inhabit marine environments and are a group of small, carnivorous fish. Their bodies are characterized by their slender shape, two dorsal fins, each with several fine vertebrae. They have a series of small sensory organs on either side of their head, a rounded tail, and bright colors. Small gobies can be described as "dwarfs," with most measuring only 11 to 20 millimeters in length. Sadly, their lifespan is even shorter than their short body length, typically less than two months.
3. The world's fastest swimming fish (sailfish)
The sailfish, also known as the banana fish, is one of the fastest swimming fish, typically reaching speeds of 90 kilometers per hour, and up to 110 kilometers per hour over short distances, with a staggering 190 kilometers per hour at its fastest. As a migratory fish, it has a slightly flattened, streamlined body and well-developed muscles; the largest sailfish can grow to several meters long and weigh over a hundred kilograms. When swimming, the sailfish lowers its dorsal fin to reduce drag; simultaneously, its long, sword-like snout can quickly part the water to the sides; and its constantly thrashing caudal peduncle and caudal fin, like a propeller on a ship, combined with its streamlined body and well-developed muscles, makes the sailfish move with extraordinary speed, like a released arrow.
4. The world's longest-living fish (pike)
Pike are considered among the longest-living fish, with some living an astonishing 200 years or more. Their mouths are duck-like, wide and flat, with a protruding lower jaw. As one of the most ferocious carnivorous freshwater fish, they prey on not only other fish but also animals such as frogs, mice, and wild ducks. When a pike spots a small animal swimming by, it uses its thick tail fin to violently churn the water, concealing itself and silently observing the approaching creature. Once the distance is right, the pike suddenly opens its mouth and bites down, quickly tearing off most of the animal, leaving the remainder hanging on its teeth for its next meal.
5. The fish that lays the most eggs in the world (sunfish)
The ocean sunfish, also known as the moray sunfish or sun pufferfish, is renowned for its prolific egg production, sometimes reaching up to 300 million eggs, making it one of the most egg-bearing fish species. It is one of the largest and most uniquely shaped fish in the world. Its body is round and flat, resembling a large saucer. It has a long, pointed fin on its body and abdomen, while its tail fin is extremely small, making it appear as if the hind half has been cut off. Ocean sunfish primarily feed on jellyfish, using their tiny mouths to scoop up their prey bit by bit. They often bask at the surface of the water, and despite their clumsy appearance, they sometimes leap out of the water. Ocean sunfish are docile, making them frequent targets for attacks by humans, killer whales, and sea lions.
6. The fish that migrates the farthest distance in the world (European eel)
European eels are fish belonging to the family Anguillidae in the order Anguilliformes, renowned for their long migrations. The distance they travel from their spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea southeast of Bermuda in the Americas to their habitat in the freshwaters of mainland Europe exceeds 5,000 kilometers. Every autumn, mature eels undergo changes such as enlarged eyes, atrophied internal organs, enlarged gonads, and a change in body color from yellowish-brown to silvery-gray, preparing for their long spawning migration. They typically choose to descend from rivers into the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean on moonless nights to spawn. Fertilized eggs are discovered in spring and early summer, while the larvae take up to three years to complete their migration to Europe.
7. The world's longest bony fish (Oarfish)
The oarfish, also known as the Brunhilde, and colloquially as the Dragon King's Messenger or White Dragon King, is one of the world's longest bony fish. Its body is elongated and ribbon-like, classifying it as a large fish; most individuals can reach over 4 meters in length and weigh over 150 kilograms. The oarfish has a bright silver body, with red, paddle-shaped pectoral fins, explaining its English name "oarfish." Furthermore, its dorsal fin is also red, very long, and originates from the head like a mane. Oarfish are carnivorous, possessing a ferocious predatory instinct, and will prey on almost any animal found in the ocean, sometimes even exhibiting cannibalistic behavior.
8. The fish with the strongest electric discharge in the world (electric eel)
The electric eel, a South American eel-like fish belonging to the family Anophelesidae, is renowned for its powerful electric discharge. When an electric eel discharges, the average voltage can reach over 350 volts, with some records exceeding 650 volts. This electric discharge serves as a means of predation and attacking predators, and sometimes it's driven by physiological needs. They can autonomously control the timing and intensity of their discharges, with the neural portion of their electric organ being the main hub of this mysterious fish's ability to generate electricity. Primarily, the electric eel's discharge is a survival necessity, as it needs to capture other fish and aquatic life, making electric discharge a crucial tool for acquiring prey. The released electricity is enough to easily stun smaller animals and sometimes even knock out larger ones; for example, horses wading in a river and cattle swimming can be rendered unconscious by an electric eel's discharge.
9. The world's most transparent fish (glass catfish)
The glass catfish, also known as the two-barbeled catfish, is considered one of the most transparent fish. Its body resembles a willow leaf, transparent as glass with a faint bluish luster. When observed, the spine and internal organs are clearly visible, as if examining a skeletal specimen. Furthermore, deep reddish-purple shoulder patches appear behind the gill covers. The dorsal fin of the glass catfish is not fully developed, while its anal fin is unusually long, extending to the base of the deeply forked caudal fin. Its internal organs are compressed in the front of the body, hidden in a layer of silvery, virtual pouches. This fish typically measures about 8-11 cm in length. The glass catfish usually inhabits the middle layer of the water and is very active in sunlight. Like other fish, such as the African glassfish, which are not related, they are constantly swimming.
10. The fish that flies the farthest in the world (flying fish)
Flying fish are renowned for their ability to glide through the air, hence their name. They are among the most prolific fliers of all fish. Their appearance is quite unique, with long pectoral fins extending all the way to their tails, resembling bird wings. As a flying fish accelerates towards the surface underwater, its fins lie close to its streamlined body. Once it breaks the surface, the flying fish rapidly extends its large fins while simultaneously flapping its tail in the water to generate additional thrust. Once enough force has been accumulated, the flying fish's tail completely leaves the water, propelling it into the air and gliding several meters above the surface at speeds up to 16 kilometers per hour. Flying fish can glide continuously, each time they fall back into the water, their tails propelling them into the air again. Stronger flying fish can glide up to 180 meters in a single flight, and their continuous gliding distances can reach an astonishing 400 meters.
The list of the world's top ten fish species is primarily based on their world records, size, abilities, and other relevant information, while also referencing other online rankings. This list is for reference only and aims to help you understand which fish are the best. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or offer corrections at the end.
