List of 48 species of fish, their names and characteristics, descriptions and where they live

Fish are one of the most common animal species on the planet. They live in seas, oceans, rivers, lakes and other aquatic biomes. There are a huge number of species of fish, and each of them has its own characteristics in behavior, diet and anatomy. Some fish are used as food, others are used for fishing and sport fishing.

Omul

Omuli are 60-65 cm in size and weigh up to 2.5-3.2 kg. A migratory species that finds its home in the rivers and lakes of Siberia. It feeds on crustaceans and fish fry, feels comfortable in salty aquatic environments and usually fattens in coastal marine areas. To reproduce, it goes to rivers flowing into Lake Baikal. Its lifespan can reach two decades. Belongs to salmonids.

Pike

Pike, a predatory fish belonging to the genus and family of the same name, can reach up to 1.7 meters in length and 30-36 kilograms in weight. This species is especially numerous in the basin of the Yenisei River, as well as rivers flowing into the bay of the same name. It has a sagittal body with a large head and a long front, and its hue changes depending on its environment. This species of fish is known to live up to fifteen years.

Chekhon

The size and weight of the fish can reach 55-65 cm and 2.3 kg, respectively. It belongs to one species, the genus is Pelecus, and the family is Carp. This fish is omnivorous, meaning it consumes both plant and animal foods. During the daytime, it tends to stay closer to the surface of the water, while at night it lives in the deeper parts of the reservoir. As the temperature drops in winter, this fish goes into hibernation. It can be found in abundance in the Middle and Lower Volga. Its lifespan can be 8-14 years depending on its habitat (that is, in the wild or in an artificial reservoir).

river eel

Size and weight of fish: males can reach a maximum of 55 cm, and females - up to 1.2 m; accordingly, their weight is usually 3.3-7.5 kg, maximum – 13.1 kg. Belonging to the genus Anguilla Schrank and the eel family, these predatory fish have a snake-like appearance with a long, flattened body and a small head with tiny teeth. The coloration varies, but is generally greenish-brown, with the back being darker than other parts of the body. For shelter, they prefer quiet bodies of water, as well as places such as burrows, snags or bushes. On average, they can live between 8 and 16 years before spawning, which requires them to stop feeding and causes their intestines to shrink in size during this period of time.

Silver carp

Representatives of the genus Hypophthalmichthys of the carp family can grow up to 1.2 meters and weigh up to 53 kilograms. They tend to form large groups and are commonly found in the Amur River, feeding mainly on plankton and algae. Ideal for improving water quality. It thrives in warm waters without strong currents, and its lifespan is about 18 years.

river piranha

The genus Pygocentrus, from the family Serrasalmidae, can grow up to 55 cm and weigh 3.8-4.2 kg. It has a laterally compressed body with strong jaws and sharp teeth, making it one of the most voracious predatory fish. It usually lives in large groups in the rivers of South America and belongs to the cyprinid group. Its color is silver-blue, which darkens with age; males and females have different shades. Its lifespan can reach one dozen years.

Sterlet

Acipenser, belonging to the sturgeon family, is a species of fish with an average length of 120-130 cm and a weight of 15-17 kg. It has a triangular body shape and a curved tail fin. Its diet consists mainly of mollusks, crustaceans, larvae and other small creatures. This species is widespread in the river basins of Siberia, as well as in European reservoirs. It is listed in the Red Book due to the threat of extinction. Acipenser prefers a fast flow and can live up to 28 years.

River ram

This representative of the carp family can grow up to 33-36 cm in length and weigh up to 2.2 kg. Its diet consists of both plant and animal components such as algae, larvae and small crustaceans. It prefers slow currents and habitats such as tributaries or deep-water holes. It is found in rivers connected to the basins of the Black and Azov Seas, its life expectancy reaches two decades.

Pink salmon

Representatives of the genus Oncorhynchus Suckley (Pacific salmon) can reach up to 77 cm in length and 5.6 kg in weight. Their diet consists of crustaceans, larvae, fry and small fish.

Pink salmon meat is a gourmet product and is a popular dish in many countries. Pink salmon is distinguished by its tender and soft meat, which has a pleasant taste and aroma. Pink salmon meat contains a lot of protein and a small amount of fat, which makes it a healthy and dietary product.

One of the features of meat is its red color, which is associated with the content of a natural dye - carotene. The red color of the meat can be especially bright during the spawning period, when pink salmon saturate their meat with additional nutrients to ensure future offspring.

They are found off the coast of Alaska, Kamchatka, Anadyr, the Kuril Islands, and Sakhalin, spending only one season at sea before returning to the rivers to spawn. The lifespan of this species is 1.6-2.2 years.

Zander

The genus Stizostedion, part of the perch family, is a predatory fish of considerable size that can reach a meter in length and weigh up to 12-16 kilograms. Its natural habitat extends from the Danube and Elbe rivers to the Urals and from Karelia all the way to Transcaucasia. This species can live up to 15 years in water bodies. These are rivers and lakes located in the basins of the Baltic, Black, Caspian and Aral seas.

Carp (common carp)

Species Cyprinus (cyprinid) from the family of the same name. It can reach one meter in length and weigh up to two tens of kilograms. This fish feeds on both plant and animal components and is found in the waters of the Azov, Black, Caspian and Aral seas, as well as in Central Asia, Central and Western Siberia and Kamchatka. Unfortunately, this species is listed in the Red Book due to the risk of extinction. Life expectancy is 31-36 years.

Burbot

The maximum length and weight of this species (genus Lota, or burbot) are 125 cm and 19 kg, respectively. It feeds on invertebrates, small fish, including dead ones. Found in rivers throughout Siberia, Europe and the North American continent. It prefers to stay in cold waters and breeds during the winter season. Its habitat consists of clear water with a rocky or sandy bottom. The lifespan of this species ranges from 13 to 26 years.

Vobla

The maximum size and weight of this species is 37 cm and 0.9-1 kg, respectively, and belongs to the genus roach, the carp family.It feeds on mollusks and other invertebrates found in the huge rivers of the Caspian Sea basin, such as the Volga. It usually reproduces five to six times during its life, hibernating in the winter in a motionless state, not consuming any food. Its lifespan is approximately ten years.

Common catfish

The maximum size of this fish species is five meters and the maximum weight is four hundred kilograms as reported in historical records. It belongs to the genus and family of catfish and obtains its food in the form of dead fish, crustaceans, aquatic insects and juvenile fish. This predator is most active at night, but can be found resting in snags or on the bottom during daylight hours. It lives in rivers and lakes of the European region of Russia, as well as in other parts of Europe. His life expectancy reaches forty years.

Ide

Fish of the genus Leuciscus from the carp family can reach up to 90 cm in length and 6-8 kg in weight. This omnivorous species feeds primarily at dusk and at night, on a combination of animal and plant matter. It is widely distributed throughout Europe, Siberia, some rivers of the Black Sea and the northern regions of the Caspian Sea. This species usually survives for 14-22 years.

Rotan

The fish of the Goloveshkov family, the genus of the same name, is a predator whose dimensions are 15-26 cm and its weight can reach 0.4 kg. It feeds on small crabs and shrimp and is found in northwestern Sakhalin Island, Korea and northeastern China. This species is notable for its ability to survive at low temperatures at the bottom of a reservoir, as well as partial drying and pollution. Its lifespan is seven years.

Bream

The size and weight of the fish can reach 85 cm and 7 kg, respectively. It is a member of the genus Abramis (bream) in the Cyprinidae family. Their diet consists mainly of snails, insect larvae and sometimes algae. They live in groups and prefer habitats that are deep and covered with vegetation. These fish live in the Black Sea waters, as well as in lakes and the European region of Russia. The lifespan of these fish can reach up to 24 years.

Roach

The genus Rutilus has a size and weight ranging from 10-70 cm and up to 3 kg respectively. Its diet consists mainly of krill, aquatic bugs and algae.

Roach spawning occurs in the spring - usually from April to June, depending on the region and climate. One female lays eggs, and several males fertilize her eggs. This usually occurs at a depth of up to 1 meter. The average female roach can lay up to 30 thousand eggs in one spawning. The eggs have a diameter of 0.8 to 1.2 mm and first adhere to vegetation and then settle to the bottom.

It is found in abundance in Europe, as well as in the Aral and Caspian seas, along with the waters of Siberia. This species usually congregates in areas with weak currents, hiding behind objects such as snags. Roaches can live up to 22 years.

Salmon (Atlantic salmon)

This fish (genus Salmo and family Salmonidae) can reach a length of 1.6 meters and weigh up to 44 kilograms. It feeds on plankton, krill, larvae and small fish. It is found over a wide area, including waters in the north Atlantic, Karelia and the Baltic Sea. They plan to list the species in the Red Book as endangered. Its lifespan is up to thirteen years.

Golden carp

The genus Carassius, which belongs to the carp family, is a species of fish that can reach 35 cm in length and 1.6 kg in weight. It is quite tenacious and tolerates difficult conditions well. It feeds on fry, aquatic vegetation and shrimps. Its habitat extends from Europe to Far East Asia, Siberia, the USA and a number of other European and Asian countries. Life expectancy is approximately 10 to 16 years.

Goldfish

Genus Carassius, belonging to the carp family; has a maximum length of 45 cm and weight up to 2.9-3.2 kg. Its body is narrower than that of its golden “relative,” and its scales are larger and look brighter in the light. This species feeds on fry, shrimp and aquatic vegetation.

Goldfish lay their eggs in shallow and warm waters with a sandy or gravel bottom, where there is enough algae and vegetation to cover the eggs. Spawning begins in March-April, when the water warms up to 8-10 degrees. At this time, fish gather in large schools near the shore, where the spawning process itself takes place. The female lays from 10 to 100 thousand eggs. The male then fertilizes the eggs, after which they remain attached to the vegetation at the bottom of the reservoir.

It can be found in the Amur River basin, in European reservoirs, as well as in some parts of the North American continent, in India. He lives from 9 to 13 years.

Gudgeon

These fish, belonging to the carp family, reach a maximum of 13-25 cm in length and 0.1-0.4 kg in weight. They feed on larvae, worms and krill, scavenging from the bottom rather than hunting prey. Unfortunately, this is a common prey item for larger predatory fish. Usually found in groups at the bottom of reservoirs, they exist throughout Europe and can live up to ten years.

Sturgeon

According to the characteristics, the length and weight of the fish can reach 5 meters and 700-900 kg, respectively. Genus Acipenser, from the sturgeon family; an omnivore that feeds on plankton, algae and small fish.

Sturgeon meat is a high-class delicacy; it has a delicate and soft taste, and also has a special aroma that is incomparable to any other type of fish. However, it should be noted that the taste of sturgeon meat may depend on the age and size of the fish. Young sturgeon have more tender meat with less fat, while older sturgeon have a richer flavor and fattier meat.

It lives in the Azov, Black Sea and Far Eastern waters, having no natural predators other than humans. This fish species typically lives between 38 and 63 years, but some individuals can live up to a hundred years, making them one of the longest-living fish species.

River perch

The size and weight of the fish can reach 52 cm and 2.3 kg; it belongs to the genus Perca (freshwater perch) of the perch family. This is a predatory fish that feeds on zooplankton and young fish. It is widespread in Europe, northern regions of Asia, including the Kolyma River basin and the waters of the Aral Sea. It prefers rivers without rapids, but can sometimes be found in lakes high in the mountains, with a maximum lifespan of 22 years.

Rudd

The maximum length and weight of Scardinius (rudd), a species of cyprinid, are 50 cm and 2.2 kg, respectively. This is an omnivorous species that feeds on various plankton, aquatic vegetation, fry, and worms. She lives in groups in the waters of the Azov, Aral and North Seas and is able to live up to nineteen years.

White amur

Reaching 1.1-1.6 meters and a maximum of 44 kilograms, this fish from the genus Ctenopharyngodon belongs to the carp family. Its diet consists mainly of plant matter, although krill is also occasionally consumed. A representative of this breed can be found in East Asia, namely in the lower reaches of the rivers of the Asian part of Russia, as well as in the lowland rivers of China, and its life expectancy is on average fifteen years.

Ruff

This unremarkable fish feeds on crustaceans, worms and shrimp. It can reach up to 23 cm in length and 0.2 kg in weight. It belongs to the perch family and the genus Percidae. The list of bodies of water where it can be found includes fresh or slightly brackish rivers throughout European territory and northern Asia. Life expectancy is approximately eleven years.

Rainbow trout (mykiss)

These fish reach 39-52 cm in length and up to 0.9-1.7 kg in weight. Members of the genus Pacific salmon are members of the family Salmonidae. Being predatory fish, they feast on fry, water bugs, frog tadpoles and even mice or chicks. Preferring clean water and mountain rivers, they live in areas such as Kamchatka and throughout the North American continent. Listed in the Red Book of the Russian Far East, these fish can live up to twelve years.

Shark

The size and weight of fish of this variety range from 15 cm to 23 m, and the weight can reach several tens of tons, depending on the species. They belong to the subclass Elasmobranchi, and more than five hundred species have now been identified. Most of them are carnivorous in nature, but some are almost omnivorous. They are found in all oceans and prefer salty aquatic habitats.The lifespan of these fish ranges from thirty to hundreds of years, depending on the variety.

Goby

Gobiiformes (gobies) range in size and weight from 0.1-0.7 m and 0.3-0.6 kg respectively, and they typically feed on small fish. These coastal bottom dwellers are often found living under rocks, especially in warm seas. In Russia, these are bodies of water such as the Caspian, Azov and Black Seas, which can satisfy their need for both fresh and salt water environments. The lifespan of these fish reaches seven years.

Mackerel (mackerel)

Fish can reach a length of 65 cm, but the average length is 28-33 cm; their weight can be 0.9-3.6 kg. They belong to the mackerel family. These fish are social by nature, hunting for plankton and smaller fish to feed on. They live in almost all seas and oceans, except the Arctic region. They prefer warm water temperatures and their lifespan is up to eighteen years.

Dorado

This member of the Sparus family can reach up to 75 cm in length and 18 kg in weight. He mainly eats shrimp, small shellfish, small fish and sometimes algae. This species is found in Mediterranean waters, but rarely enters the Black Sea bays. In recent years, it has been spotted off the coast of Crimea. Its lifespan is up to eleven years.

Catfish

The fish usually grow to 1.2-1.7 m and can weigh more than 35 kg. They feed on sea urchins, shrimp and fish and are found in the northern waters of the oceans. These fish prefer temperate and cold waters with a rocky bottom. They swim at a depth of 250-600 meters.They can live up to twelve years, and are sometimes called “sea dogs” because of their strong teeth that allow them to easily gnaw through shells - every year a new set grows in place of the old teeth.

Haddock

The maximum length of representatives of the genus Melanogrammus (haddock) from the cod family can reach 113 cm, and weight – 17 kg. It is known that the fish feeds on sea urchins, worms, and shrimp. This species lives in the northern waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and can be observed both at the bottom and at different levels of the water column. Due to its vulnerability, this species has received protected status from the authorities. The lifespan of this fish is estimated at twenty-four years.

Flounder

Representatives of the genus Pleuronectes (sea flounder) of the family of the same name can grow up to one meter and weigh up to seven kilograms. These bottom-dwelling fish feed primarily on crustaceans such as shrimp and are especially active during the day. They are found in Atlantic waters, including offshore Greenland, and are known to live up to fifty years.

Cod

The maximum size and weight of fish belonging to the genus Gadus and the cod family reaches 1.9-2 m and 38-41 kg, respectively. They feed on crustaceans, mollusks, fish, including other representatives of their species, as well as their young.

Cod meat contains high amounts of protein, which is the main building block for our tissues, muscles and organs. It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower blood cholesterol, improve vision and brain function. Contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals, preventing aging and various diseases.

It can be found in temperate waters of both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and there are also several lake representatives. The average lifespan of this species is 22-26 years.

Horse mackerel

Genus Trachurus, family Stavrididae; is a type of horse mackerel, the size of which ranges from 23-82 cm, and weight - 0.2-2.9 kg. It feeds on small fish, plankton and sometimes invertebrates and lives in warm Atlantic waters. This gregarious species makes long seasonal migrations following warm currents and can live up to nine years.

Mullet

Dimensions and weight: reach up to 95 cm in length; up to 6.8-7.2 kg in weight. It belongs to the mullet family and is a species of migratory fish. More than one hundred different species of mullet have been identified. They mainly feed on microscopic crustaceans, mollusks, and worms, along with algae and mud from the seabed. They live mainly in the warm seas of the southern hemisphere and can survive up to fifteen years.

sea ​​herring

Fish of the genus Scardinius can reach a maximum size and weight of 44-47 cm and 1.2 kg, respectively. Its diet consists mainly of larvae and small worms, and it lives in northern Pacific waters. It is a deep-sea species that lives for approximately 19 to 26 years and has several varieties.

capelin

Mallotus is a species of fish that can reach up to 26 cm in length and 0.49 kg in weight, belonging to the smelt family. Its diet consists mainly of crustaceans and plankton, and it lives in groups. It is usually found near the surface, in Arctic and Atlantic waters and in other regions, where it can live for up to ten years.

Swordfish

The maximum size and weight of the fish is 4.4 m and 665 kg respectively, belongs to the genus Xiphias and the family Swordfish.This is a predatory species that feeds on other fish and cephalopods. Leads a solitary lifestyle, but forms pairs during the spawning period. This species can be found in Pacific and Atlantic waters, living up to 9-13 years.

An interesting fact about this fish is that it has the ability to break 2-3 cm thick metal plates or 45 cm oak tabletop with an average force of 4 tons using its nose.

Moray

The moray eel, which belongs to the moray eel family and is similar in appearance to an eel due to its snake-like body, can grow up to 1.7 meters in length and weigh up to 52 kilograms. Its diet consists of crustaceans, fish and octopuses, and it is nocturnal, spending its days hiding in crevices or coral.

Moray eels can actively hunt, swimming in search of prey. They use their good sense of hearing and touch to find and attack prey. Sometimes they prefer to hide in shelters, such as crevices and caves, and hunt for prey passing by. They use their flexibility and long body to lunge at prey and grab it with their sharp teeth.

It can be found in Mediterranean, Pacific and Atlantic waters. Life expectancy is estimated at about ten years.

Halibut

Fish of the genus Pleuronectiformes, resembling a flounder, can grow from 33-56 centimeters and up to 2.8-3.2 kilograms in weight. This predatory species lives at great depths and feeds on crustaceans, krill and other fish. It is usually found in the northern seas, as well as in Atlantic and Pacific waters. The lifespan of this fish ranges from 25 to 53 years depending on the species.

Tuna

The size and weight of these fish range from 0.49 to 4.5 meters and from 2 to 670 kilograms, depending on the species. They are members of the Scombriformes family and feed on crustaceans, krill and smaller fish. These fish are generally social creatures that can travel long distances in search of food, found in the tropical waters of the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans; they are capable of living up to nineteen years.

Scat

Size and weight vary from a few centimeters to 6.5-7.2 meters and 12-25 kilograms, with some species weighing up to hundreds of kilograms. Stingrays belong to the suborder Batomorphi. They feed on echinoderms, crustaceans, mollusks, plankton and small fish. Electric rays have electrical discharges of up to 230 volts, which they use to stun their prey. They are found throughout the world, in both tropical and cold-water environments, and have an average lifespan of 16-26 years.

Flying fish

This member of the genus Beloniformes is 13-55 cm long and can weigh up to one kg. Its diet consists of small crustaceans, mollusks, fish larvae and plankton. It prefers to live in groups and, if threatened, can move through the air up to 220 m at a height of 1.1-1.2 m - this is an unusual escape mechanism. Its natural habitat is in tropical or subtropical waters where temperatures do not fall below 19°C and it typically lives for five years.

Barracuda

The maximum length of a barracuda is two meters, and its weight can reach 53 kilograms. It belongs to the genus Sphyraena and family Barracuda. Its diet consists mainly of fish, squid and shrimp.These fish live in the Red, Mediterranean Seas and other tropical and subtropical waters, preferring to swim near the surface. As a rule, they do not pay attention to scuba divers, but there are cases when they attacked people. Their lifespan ranges from eight to ten years.