See also: List of longest fish. Fish vary greatly in size. The whale shark and basking shark exceed all other fish by a considerable margin in weight and length. Fish are a paraphyletic group that describes aquatic vertebrates while excluding tetrapods, and the bony fish that often represent the group are more closely related to cetaceans such as whales, than to the cartilaginous fish such as sharks and rays. As such, cross group comparisons on this page only serve a colloquial purpose.
| Rank | Name | Binomial Name | Taxonomic Class | Known maximum mass [tonnes] | Maximum length [m (ft)] | Images | Size comparison to human | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhincodon typus | Chondrichthyes(Cartilaginous fish) | 21.5 | 18.8 metres (61.7 ft)[1] | ||||
| 2 | Cetorhinus maximus | Chondrichthyes(Cartilaginous fish) | 5.2 (16 unconfirmed) | 14m (46feet)[2] [3] | ||||
| 3 | Carcharodon carcharias | Chondrichthyes(Cartilaginous fish) | 3.324[4] | 7m (23feet) | ||||
| 4 | Galeocerdo cuvier | Chondrichthyes(Cartilaginous fish) | 3.11[5] [6] | 7.5m (24.6feet) | ||||
| 5 | Mobula birostris | Chondrichthyes(Cartilaginous fish) | 3.0 | 5m (16feet) | ||||
| 6 | Mola alexandrini | Osteichthyes(Bony fish) | 2.744[7] | 3.3m (10.8feet)[8] | ||||
| 7 | Mola mola | Osteichthyes(Bony fish) | 2.3 | 3.1m (10.2feet) | ||||
| 8 | Huso huso | Osteichthyes(Bony fish) | 2.072 | 7.2m (23.6feet)[9] | ||||
| 9 | Masturus lanceolatus | Osteichthyes(Bony fish) | 2 | 3m (10feet) | ||||
| 10 | Mola tecta | Osteichthyes(Bony fish) | 1.87 | 2.4m (07.9feet) | ||||
| 11 | Manta alfredi | Chondrichthyes(Cartilaginous fish) | 1.4[10] | 5.5m (18feet) | ||||
| 12 | Somniosus microcephalus | Chondrichthyes(Cartilaginous fish) | 1.397 | 7.3m (24feet) | ||||
| 13 | Megachasma pelagios | Chondrichthyes(Cartilaginous fish) | 1.215[11] | 5.2m (17.1feet) | ||||
| 14 | Huso dauricus | Osteichthyes(Bony fish) | 1.140 | 5.6m (18.4feet) |
The hagfish, which are not taxonomically true fish, are among the most primitive extant vertebrates. There is only one order and family in this animal class. All of the 77 known species have elongated, eel-like bodies but can be distinguished by their downward-facing mouths. The largest form is the Goliath hagfish (Eptatretus goliath). This species can range up to 1.28m (04.2feet) in length and weigh to 6.2kg (13.7lb).
As with the hagfish, lampreys appear eel-like in shape. They have cartilaginous skeletons and have been evolving separately from any other group for over 400 million years. They are predatory and often attach themselves to a fish or other small animal and gradually drain blood and organs. The largest species is the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), which can grow to 1.2m (03.9feet) and weigh 2.5kg (05.5lb).
The largest fish of the now-extinct class Placodermi was the giant predatory Dunkleosteus. The largest and most well known species was D. terrelli, which grew almost 91NaN1 in length[12] and 4MT[13] in weight. Its filter feeding relative, Titanichthys, may have rivaled it in size.[14] Titanichthys reached a length of [15] [16] though in older paper it was estimated at .[17]
The cartilaginous fish are not directly related to the "bony fish," but are sometimes lumped together for simplicity in description. The largest living cartilaginous fish, of the order Orectolobiformes, is the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), of the world's tropical oceans. It is also the largest living animal that is not a cetacean and, like the largest whales, it is a docile creature that filter-feeds on tiny plankton. An average adult of this species measures 9.7m (31.8feet) long and weighs an average of 9 tonnes. The largest verified specimen was caught in 1949 off Karachi, Pakistan and was 12.7m (41.7feet) long and weighed . Although many are dubious, there are several reports of larger whale sharks, with reliable sources citing unverified specimens of up to and .[18]
The largest species of this order is the widely distributed tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Specimens have been verified to at least 5.5m (18feet) but even larger ones have been reported. One specimen, a gravid female caught off Australia and measuring only 5.5m (18feet) long, weighed an exceptional 1524kg (3,360lb). A female caught in 1957 reportedly measured 7.4m (24.3feet) and weighing 3110kg (6,860lb), although this very outsized shark is not known to have been confirmed.[19] The largest of the "requiem sharks" (in the genus Carcharhinus) seems to be the dusky shark (C. obscurus), at up to 4.2m (13.8feet) and a weight of 350kg (770lb). However, the bulkier bull shark (C. leucas) has been estimated to weigh about 575kg (1,268lb) in recent specimens that measured over 4m (13feet) long.[20] The silky shark (C. falciformis) is another contender for the largest requiem shark at a maximum weight of 350kg (770lb) and a maximum length of around 3.5m (11.5feet). The largest hammerhead shark is the great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), which can reach 6.1m (20feet) and weigh at least 500kg (1,100lb).[21] The most species-rich shark family, the catsharks, are fairly small-bodied. The largest, the nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris), can grow up to 1.7m (05.6feet) and a weight of at least 10.8kg (23.8lb).[22]
These odd, often translucent cartilaginous fish are typically quite small. The largest species is the carpenter's chimaera (Chimaera lignaria) of the oceans near Australia and New Zealand. It can reach up to 1.5m (04.9feet) in length and weigh 15.4kg (34lb).[23]
The largest frill sharks and cow shark is the Bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus). This large species typically inhabits depths greater than 90m (300feet), and has been recorded as deep as 1875m (6,152feet). The largest specimen known (caught off Cuba) reportedly weighed 763kg (1,682lb) and measured 4.82m (15.81feet) long.
These tropical, small sharks are noted for their broad head shape. The largest species is the Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) of Australasian waters, at up to 1.65m (05.41feet) long and weighing up to 20kg (40lb).
Most species in this order grow quite large. The largest living species is the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) of the world's northern temperate oceans, also the second largest fish. The largest specimen, which was examined in 1851, measured 12.3m (40.4feet) long and weighed 16 tonnes. Perhaps the most famous "big fish" is the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Specimens have been measured up to 6.4m (21feet) and weighing 3312kg (7,302lb), with great whites of at least 7m (23feet) long generally accepted. The common thresher (Alopias vulpinus), can grow to 7.6m (24.9feet) and weigh over 510kg (1,120lb), but much of its length is comprised by its extreme tail.[24] Odd and recently discovered giants also live in this order: the slender, sword-snouted goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni), with unweighed specimens of up to approximately 6.17m (20.24feet), and the massive megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios), up to 5.6m (18.4feet) long and a weight of 1215kg (2,679lb).[25] [26]
The largest shark in the fossil record is the megalodon (Otodus megalodon), a colossal Neogene lamniform. The range of estimates of the maximum length for megalodon are from 17to, with a mass ranging from 65ST114ST.[27] [28] [29] It is also regarded as the largest macro-predatory fish ever.
Both the largest species of this order and the largest of all rays is the giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris). This peaceful leviathan can reach a size of } Due to heavy fishing of both species, swordfish and tuna of great sizes are increasingly rare. One of the largest freshwater fishes is the Nile perch (Lates niloticus), which grows up to 200kg (400lb) and 2m (07feet). The biggest of snappers is the Cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) of the Caribbean sea and east coast of South America, at a maximum size of 57kg (126lb) and 1.6m (05.2feet) in length.[30] The largest species of grunt is the white margate (Haemulon album) of the Caribbean sea and east coast of South America, at up to 7.14kg (15.74lb) and 0.8m (02.6feet) in length.[31] The blennies can range up to 0.55m (01.8feet) in the hairtail blenny (Xiphasia setifer) of the Indo-Pacific. The jacks or mackerels reach their maximum size in the Chinese seerfish (Scomberomorus sinensis), which can attain 131kg (289lb) and 2.47m (08.1feet). The largest butterflyfish are either the lined butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus) or the saddle butterflyfish (C. ephippium), both of the Indo-Pacific and both of which can measure up to 30cm (10inches). The freckled darter (Percina lenticula) of the United States, the biggest of the darters, reaching 20cm (10inches) and 70g.[32] [33] The largest drum is the Totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) of the Gulf of California, at up to 100kg (200lb) and 2m (07feet) long. Among the sea bass or groupers, many of which can grow quite large, the greatest size are reached in the Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) and the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus). Both can reach a maximum known length of 2.5m (08.2feet) and weight of 455kg (1,003lb) and 600kg (1,300lb) respectively.[34] The species-rich cichlids reach their maximum size in the East African giant cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis), at up to 0.8m (02.6feet) long and 5kg (11lb).[35] The humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) of the Indo-Pacific's coral reefs is by far the largest wrasse, and it can reach a maximum size of 191kg (421lb) and 2.3m (07.5feet).[36] Among a fairly small-bodied family, the damselfishes, the Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) of the Pacific coast of America is the biggest, reaching up to 35.5cm (14inches) and 1.2kg (02.6lb).[37] The marbled sleeper (Oxyeleotris marmorata) of East Asia is the largest member of the family or sub-order that almost certain contains the smallest living vertebrate, and can reach 0.66m (02.17feet) long and weigh 9.9kg (21.8lb).[38]
The largest species in this small order (both by number of species and body size) is the sand roller (Percopsis transmontana) of North America. This species can range up to 20cm (10inches) in length and can weigh over 11g.
The largest of the well-known and heavily fished flatfish is the Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). This giant can reach 363kg (800lb) and 3m (10feet), although fish even approaching this size would be extraordinary these days. The Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is also sometimes titled the largest flatfish, although it has a slightly smaller maximum size, at 320kg (710lb) and 2.8m (09.2feet).
The little-known beardfish are sometimes classified with the Beryciformes. The largest beardfish is Polymixia busakhini of the Indo-Pacific, which can range up to 0.6m (02feet) in length.
The largest polypterid is Polypterus congicus, which reaches up to 97cm (38inches) in length.
The largest gulper eel is the pelican eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides). The pelican eel grows to about 1m (03feet) in length.
The largest species of salmonid is the taimen (Hucho taimen). The biggest recorded taimen was caught in the Kotui River in Russia, and measured 2.1m (06.9feet) and weighed 105kg (231lb).[39] Some sources claim the largest is the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) of America's Pacific Northwest, although this species falls behind the taimen in maximum size. The maximum size of this fish is 61.4kg (135.4lb) and 1.5m (04.9feet) long.
Although less venomous than many smaller fish in the same order, the skilfish (Erilepis zonifer) of the North Pacific, is largest sculpin. The maximum size is 1.9m (06.2feet) and the weight can be up to 91kg (201lb). The Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) of the west coast of North America is sometimes listed as the largest sculpin but it is not known to exceed 1.5m (04.9feet) in length or 60kg (130lb) in weight. The Cottidae can range up to 0.7m (02.3feet) and 11kg (24lb) in the cabezon (Scorpaenicthys marmoratus) of coastal North America.
Most authorities now give the crown of the largest catfish to the Mekong giant catfish, Pangasianodon gigas, which is also considered the heaviest completely freshwater fish. This fish has been recorded at sizes up to 350kg (770lb) and 3m (10feet).[40] [41] [42] The closely-related Asian giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) can grow to 3m (10feet) and 300kg (700lb). Another large species is the wels catfish (Silurus glanis) of Europe and Central Asia, which strongly rivals the proceeding species in weight and could possibly surpass them in length. While wels have been confirmed to 3.1m (10.2feet), other whiskered giants have been reliably reported to grow to 3.7m (12.1feet) and 265kg (584lb) and less reliably to 4.3m (14.1feet). In South America there also exists the Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, which can reportedly reach up to 3.6m (11.8feet) and 200kg (400lb).
The largest ridgeheads Poromitra curilensis, a Pacific ridgehead related to the crested bigscale,[43] at up to 18 centimetres standard length (SL; a measurement excluding the caudal fin).[44] Most ridgeheads are well under 10 centimetres SL.
The largest of the deep-sea bristlemouths is the short-tailed barbeled dragonfish (Oppostomias micripnus). The top size of a female of this species is probably over 452g and 50cm (20inches) long. In species like the barbeled dragonfish (Idiacanthus atlanticus), the snake-like females can measure up to 0.5m (01.6feet) long, about 50 times as long as the male. Although Idiacanthus is much more slender and is lighter than Oppostomias.
The tropic-dwelling swamp-eels, which are not closely related to true eels, reaches their largest size in the marbled swamp eel (Synbrachus marmoratus) of Central and South America. This fish can range up to 1.5m (04.9feet) and weigh 7kg (15lb).
The largest of this diverse order is the red cornetfish (Fistularia petimba), a long, thin species found in all tropical oceans. This fish can reach a length of 2m (07feet) and a weight of 4.65kg (10.25lb). The largest of the famous, petite seahorses is the big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) found off Australia and New Zealand, which can grow to 35cm (14inches) high and weigh over 60g.[45]
The starry pufferfish Arothron stellatus is the largest pufferfish in the world, growing to a length of 48inches. The largest freshwater pufferfish is the mbu pufferfish (Tetraodon mbu) from the Congo River basin. It attains lengths of 67cm (26inches). As such, these fish are difficult to adequately house in captivity since they require a very large aquarium and appropriately scaled water filtration. At lengths up to 1m (03feet), the stone triggerfish ("Pseudobalistes naufragium") from the eastern Pacific is the largest triggerfish, edging out the titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens).
The largest species of dory is the Cape dory (Zeus capensis) reaching a size of 90cm (40inches) and a weight of 20kg (40lb).
The largest living lobe-finned fish is the coelacanth. The average weight of the living West Indian Ocean coelacanth, (Latimeria chalumnae), is 80kg (180lb), and they can reach up to 2m (07feet) in length. Specimens can weigh up to 110kg (240lb). The largest lobe-finned fish of all time was Rhizodus at up to 7m (23feet).[46]
The largest lungfish, the African lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus), is smooth, elongated, and cylindrical with deeply embedded scales. The tail is very long and tapers at the end. They can reach a length of up to 2m (07feet) and may weigh as much as 50kg (110lb).[47] The pectoral and pelvic fins are also very long and thin, almost spaghetti-like.