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30 Fun Facts About Fish That Are Amazing

Written By Anne Kostick
Last updated: January 20, 2025

Fish are fascinating creatures that have been swimming in our oceans for millions of years. With over 30,000 known species, they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors.

From the tiny guppy to the massive whale shark, fish are incredibly diverse and play a vital role in maintaining the health of our planet's ecosystems. In this blog post, we'll dive into some amazing and little-known facts about fish that are sure to leave you hooked.

1. Bioluminescent Abilities

Some fish have the ability to produce their own light, a process known as bioluminescence. This is made possible by specialized cells in their bodies that contain a chemical called luciferin, which reacts with oxygen to produce light.

This ability helps fish to communicate, attract prey, and defend against predators in the dark depths of the ocean.

2. Super-Speed Swimmers

The sailfish is one of the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of reaching speeds of up to 68 miles per hour. This is made possible by their streamlined bodies and powerful tails, which allow them to cut through the water with ease.

Sailfish use their speed to catch prey and evade predators, making them a formidable predator in their own right.

3. masters of Disguise

The mimic octopus is a master of disguise, able to change the color and texture of its skin to blend in with its surroundings. But some fish, such as the flounder, also have this ability. They can change the color of their skin to match the pattern of the sea floor, making them nearly invisible to predators.

4. Intelligence of Fish

Fish are often thought to have limited memory and intelligence, but some species are capable of complex problem-solving and social behavior.

Fun Facts About Fish

The archerfish, for example, can use tools to catch its prey and has been observed using complex strategies to solve puzzles and navigate its environment.

5. Largest Fish in the World

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, growing up to 40 feet in length and weighing over 20 tons. Despite its massive size, the whale shark is a gentle giant, feeding on plankton and small fish. It is a slow-moving filter feeder that roams the oceans in search of food.

6. Deepest-Diving Fish

The anglerfish is a deep-sea fish that has been found as deep as 3,000 meters below the surface. It has a specialized body that allows it to withstand the intense pressure of the deep ocean, and a bioluminescent lure on its head that it uses to attract prey.

7. Fish with a Built-in Light

The lanternfish has a specialized light-producing organ in its belly that it uses to communicate with other lanternfish. This organ is filled with a chemical called luciferin, which reacts with oxygen to produce light. The lanternfish can control the amount of light it produces to signal to other fish.

8. The Strongest Fish in the Sea

The giant grouper is one of the strongest fish in the sea, with some individuals weighing over 1,000 pounds. It has a powerful tail and sharp teeth that it uses to catch its prey, and is known for its fierce fighting ability when hooked by fishermen.

9. Fish that Can Live Out of Water

The climbing perch is a species of fish that can live out of water for short periods of time. It has a specialized respiratory system that allows it to breathe air, and can use its powerful fins to drag itself across land in search of food or shelter.

10. The Longest Migration

The eel is a fish that migrates over 4,000 miles each year to reach its breeding grounds. It travels from the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic to the freshwater rivers and streams of Europe and North America, where it was born. This journey is one of the longest migrations of any animal on the planet.

11. Fish with a Unique Way of Eating

The stonefish has a unique way of eating its prey. It has a mouth that is filled with sharp teeth, and a powerful jaw that it uses to crush the shells of its favorite food, the mussel. The stonefish can eat prey whole, or use its teeth to scrape out the flesh from the shell.

12. The Most Venomous Fish

The stonefish is also one of the most venomous fish in the world, with spines on its back that deliver a painful and potentially deadly sting. The venom is powerful enough to kill a human being, and the stonefish is responsible for many injuries and deaths each year.

13. Fish that Can Change Sex

Some species of fish, such as the clownfish, are sequential hermaphrodites. This means that they can change sex from male to female, or vice versa, in response to changes in their social environment. This ability allows them to adapt to different mating situations and increase their chances of reproducing.

14. The Largest School of Fish

The largest school of fish ever recorded was a school of anchovies that stretched for over 20 miles. This massive aggregation of fish was seen off the coast of California and was so large that it could be detected by satellite. The school was estimated to contain over 100 million individual fish.

15. Fish with a Complex Social Structure

The coral reef fish have a complex social structure, with different species playing different roles in the ecosystem.

Fun Facts About Fish

Some fish, such as the parrotfish, are herbivores that help to keep the coral healthy by eating algae. Others, such as the grouper, are predators that help to keep the population of other fish in check.

16. The Fastest-Growing Fish

The guppy is one of the fastest-growing fish in the world, with some individuals growing from a tiny larva to a full-grown adult in just a few weeks. This rapid growth rate allows the guppy to quickly colonize new areas and adapt to changing environments.

17. Fish that Can Live for Decades

The rockfish is a species of fish that can live for decades, with some individuals estimated to be over 200 years old. This makes them one of the longest-living vertebrates on the planet, and allows them to play a unique role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem.

18. The Smallest Fish in the World

The Philippine goby is the smallest fish in the world, growing to a length of just 0.2 inches. This tiny fish is found in the shallow waters of the Philippines, and is able to survive in environments with very little food or shelter.

19. Fish that Can Jump Out of Water

The mackerel is a species of fish that is able to jump out of the water in pursuit of prey or to evade predators. It uses its powerful tail to launch itself into the air, and can jump as high as 6 feet in a single leap.

20. The Most Colorful Fish

The mandarinfish is one of the most colorful fish in the world, with a body covered in bright blue and orange stripes.

It is found in the coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean and is known for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. The mandarinfish is a popular species among aquarium hobbyists, and is highly prized for its unique appearance.

21. Fish with a Built-in Parasite Defense

The cleaner wrasse has a unique relationship with other fish, in which it provides a cleaning service to remove parasites from their bodies. The wrasse will swim inside the mouths and gills of other fish to remove parasites, and in return, it receives food and protection.

22. The Largest Freshwater Fish

The Mekong giant catfish is the largest freshwater fish in the world, growing up to 10 feet in length and weighing over 600 pounds. It is found in the Mekong River in Southeast Asia and is considered an endangered species due to overfishing and habitat loss.

23. Fish that Can Survive in Extreme Temperatures

The Antarctic icefish is a species of fish that can survive in extreme cold temperatures, with some individuals found in waters as cold as -1.8°C. It has a specialized circulatory system that allows it to conserve heat and survive in these harsh conditions.

24. The Longest-Living Fish in Captivity

The coelacanth is a species of fish that was thought to have been extinct for millions of years, but was rediscovered in the 1930s. One individual in captivity has been alive for over 60 years, making it one of the longest-living fish in captivity.

25. Fish with a Unique Way of Communicating

The haddock is a species of fish that uses a unique form of communication called "sound production". It can produce a loud drumming noise using its swim bladder, which is used for mating and territorial purposes.

26. The Most Endangered Fish in the World

The Devils Hole pupfish is a species of fish that is found only in a single location in Nevada, USA. It is considered the most endangered fish in the world, with only a few hundred individuals remaining in the wild.

27. Fish that Can See in Multiple Directions

The horse eye jack is a species of fish that has eyes that are positioned on the sides of its head, allowing it to see in multiple directions at once. This unique visual system allows it to detect predators and prey more effectively.

28. The Deepest-Living Fish

The hadal snailfish is a species of fish that has been found in the deepest parts of the ocean, with some individuals living at depths of over 27,000 feet. It has a specialized body that allows it to withstand the intense pressure and darkness of the deep sea.

29. Fish with a Built-in Sunscreen

The swordtail is a species of fish that has a built-in sunscreen in the form of a pigment called melanin. This pigment helps to protect its skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays, allowing it to swim near the surface of the water without getting burned.

30. The Most Ancient Fish in the World

The lamprey is a species of fish that has remained largely unchanged for over 360 million years, making it one of the most ancient fish in the world.

It has a unique body shape and a suction cup-like mouth that it uses to attach itself to other fish and feed on their blood and tissues.

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Charles Eames

Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.

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