Did you know there are more than 32,000 types of fish in the world? Aquatic life is varied and unique.
But some fish are weirder than others. And there are plenty of strange fish species the average landlubber may not have heard of.
Want to learn more about some of the oddest denizens of the deeps? Come along on a voyage of discovery as we teach you some fun fish facts and introduce you to five otherworldly fish you may not have heard about.
- Widemouth Blindcat
These blind catfish occupy are found only in Texas. But Widemouths aren’t your average pond fish. They’re known to live only in five man-made wells, surviving off scraps that fall into the water and any insects they can find.
These creepy critters are the only representatives of the Satan genus. How’s that for ominous?
- Aiptasia-Eating Filefish
Aiptasia eating filefish look like visitors from another dimension. With their glittering, colorful scales and round, black eyes, they’re an unearthly site as they glide through the water.
These are a particularly useful species to include in an aquarium. They’ll help keep the water clear of unwanted parasites with their voracious appetites.
- Australian Desert Gobies
Fish aren’t generally known as vicious creatures. Australian Desert Gobies will make you rethink that assumption. They’re the marine world equivalent of a leather-clad Hell’s Angel glaring at you from across the bar and looking for trouble.
Originating in the salty pools of Southern Australia, these tough customers can survive freezing cold, boiling heat, and all kinds of atmospheric changes that would finish off a lesser species. Still, with limited territory, they’re an extremely rare species.
They’re violent too and can get seriously territorial when they’re guarding their young.
- Ribbon Eel
The ribbon eel makes its home around Asia, Polynesia, and Africa. This cheerful creature is almost as colorful as the coral reefs where it burrows. With their bright blue and yellow pattern, the ribbon eel truly lives up to its name.
These gorgeous colors aren’t the only strange thing about the ribbon eel. Its face is covered in feelers, making its lips look something like a plant in bloom! It also changes sex several times a year for breeding purposes!
- Paedocyrpis
Paedocyrpis are the smallest species of fish in the world. Even the biggest are smaller than grains of rice, so you may not notice one of these tiny fish even if they were swimming right in front of your face!
All species of paedocyrpis originate in the acidic black swamps of Sumatra in Indonesia. Some species can even send out a pulse of bioluminescence to attract mates in the black water!
Strange Fish: Dive Into a Sea of Knowledge
We hope you enjoyed learning about all these strange fish. Marine life is truly magical, and there are so many more amazing species to learn about.
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