10. Reef manta ray
#10 Reef manta ray
The Manta alfredi is the second biggest species of ray and the tenth biggest fish species living in the world today. The fish is generally found in the tropical and subtropical marine waters but are absent in the East Pacific and the West Atlantic. The fish can weigh as much as 1.4 tons and attain lengths of up to 5.5 m. It primarily consumes zooplankton and is a filter-feeder. Although it is rarely predated upon due to its considerable size and high speed, human activities like overfishing have adversely impacted populations of this species. The reef manta ray is thus a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List.
9. Beluga sturgeon
#9 Beluga sturgeon
A critically endangered species, the Huso huso belongs to the sturgeon family. The habitat of the fish is restricted to the Black, Caspian and Adriatic Sea. Humans have heavily exploited this species for the beluga caviar, highly-priced delicacy. The unregulated fishing of this species and poaching activities have severely reduced the populations of this fish leading to an urgent need to protect the species from commercial exploitation. The fish is also a late maturing species with a long lifespan. It migrates upstream in rivers for laying eggs. Other fish and rarely waterfowl constitutes its prey base. The largest known specimen of the beluga sturgeon has been found to be 23.6 ft long and weigh 1,571 kg.
8. Hoodwinker sunfish
The Mola tecta have been recently discovered and hence little is known about its behavior. However, it is ranked as one of the biggest fish species known to us. The fish is found in the oceanic waters of the Southern Hemisphere where it preys on salps.
7. Sharptail mola
The Masturus lanceolatus is a mola species that lives in the world’s tropical and temperate marine waters. Since the species is elusive in nature, it is rarely sighted and hence little understood. The fish can attain a length of about 11 ft and weigh as much as 2 tons. The sharptail mola feeds on a wide variety of species including annelids, sponges, fishes, etc. The conservation status of the species is yet to be evaluated.
6. Ocean sunfish
#6 Ocean sunfish
The Mola mola is the world’s largest living bony fish. Adults of this species weigh around 2.3 tons and can grow up to a maximum length of 10.8 ft. Due to their unique shape, the fish can attain a height equivalent to their length. These fish inhabit the world’s tropical and temperate oceans. They feed on massive quantities of sea jelly. Although they have few natural predators, they are subjected to great threats due to human activities like fishing. Thus, the IUCN has labeled the species as “Vulnerable”.
5. Giant oceanic manta ray
#5 Giant oceanic manta ray
The Manta birostris is a ray species that ranks as the fifth largest fish species in the world. It is therefore the biggest species of ray and can be as big as 23 ft and weigh around 3 tons. These rays live in the tropical and subtropical oceans. The ma
#10 Reef manta ray
The Manta alfredi is the second biggest species of ray and the tenth biggest fish species living in the world today. The fish is generally found in the tropical and subtropical marine waters but are absent in the East Pacific and the West Atlantic. The fish can weigh as much as 1.4 tons and attain lengths of up to 5.5 m. It primarily consumes zooplankton and is a filter-feeder. Although it is rarely predated upon due to its considerable size and high speed, human activities like overfishing have adversely impacted populations of this species. The reef manta ray is thus a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List.
9. Beluga sturgeon
#9 Beluga sturgeon
A critically endangered species, the Huso huso belongs to the sturgeon family. The habitat of the fish is restricted to the Black, Caspian and Adriatic Sea. Humans have heavily exploited this species for the beluga caviar, highly-priced delicacy. The unregulated fishing of this species and poaching activities have severely reduced the populations of this fish leading to an urgent need to protect the species from commercial exploitation. The fish is also a late maturing species with a long lifespan. It migrates upstream in rivers for laying eggs. Other fish and rarely waterfowl constitutes its prey base. The largest known specimen of the beluga sturgeon has been found to be 23.6 ft long and weigh 1,571 kg.
8. Hoodwinker sunfish
The Mola tecta have been recently discovered and hence little is known about its behavior. However, it is ranked as one of the biggest fish species known to us. The fish is found in the oceanic waters of the Southern Hemisphere where it preys on salps.
7. Sharptail mola
The Masturus lanceolatus is a mola species that lives in the world’s tropical and temperate marine waters. Since the species is elusive in nature, it is rarely sighted and hence little understood. The fish can attain a length of about 11 ft and weigh as much as 2 tons. The sharptail mola feeds on a wide variety of species including annelids, sponges, fishes, etc. The conservation status of the species is yet to be evaluated.
6. Ocean sunfish
#6 Ocean sunfish
The Mola mola is the world’s largest living bony fish. Adults of this species weigh around 2.3 tons and can grow up to a maximum length of 10.8 ft. Due to their unique shape, the fish can attain a height equivalent to their length. These fish inhabit the world’s tropical and temperate oceans. They feed on massive quantities of sea jelly. Although they have few natural predators, they are subjected to great threats due to human activities like fishing. Thus, the IUCN has labeled the species as “Vulnerable”.
5. Giant oceanic manta ray
#5 Giant oceanic manta ray
The Manta birostris is a ray species that ranks as the fifth largest fish species in the world. It is therefore the biggest species of ray and can be as big as 23 ft and weigh around 3 tons. These rays live in the tropical and subtropical oceans. The ma
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