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, a "disk" width of and a total length of . A related species reaches barely smaller sizes, the devil fish (Mobula mobular). It can grow up to a disk width, a total length of and a weight of at least .[30] [31] The largest stingray is generally accepted to be the short-tail stingray (Dasyatis brevicaudata), found off the southern tip of Africa and Australasia, at up to 4.3m (14.1feet) across the disk and weighing more than 350kg (770lb).[32] Although there are several large stingrays that at least approach this species' size. One, the giant freshwater stingray (Himantura polylepis), of the large rivers of South Asia, can weigh up to 600kg (1,300lb), measure up to 5m (16feet) in total length and have a disc span of 2.4m (07.9feet).[33]
The whale shark is the largest species in this order, reaching up to 20 meters long when fully mature.[34] No other species in the order even approaches this size. The next largest species is the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), which can grow up to 4.3m (14.1feet) across the disk and weighing more than 350kg (770lb).[35]
Distinguished by a long snout decorated with sharp teeth on the sides, these little-known cartilaginous fish are often reported to attain huge sizes. The definitive largest species is not known, although the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) and the green sawfish (P. zijsron), at up to reportedly 7.6and, respectively, may be the largest. Weights of up to 1955kg (4,310lb) have been reported, possibly for the smalltooth species, but are not verified.[36] The large-tooth sawfish (P. pristis) and freshwater sawfish (P. microdon) can both exceed 6.5m (21.3feet).[37]
Despite sharing a similar appearing snout adapted in both to shred fish prey, the sawsharks are typically much smaller than sawfish. The largest sawshark is the Sixgill sawshark (Pliotrema warreni) of the South Indian ocean, which can grow up to 1.7m (05.6feet) and weigh 15kg (33lb).
The largest and most diverse order of rays' largest species is the giant guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis) of the Red Sea and the eastern Indian ocean. The top size of the species is 227kg (500lb) and 3.1m (10.2feet). The largest of the skates is the common skate (Dipturus batis). This species can grow up to 2.85m (09.35feet) in length and weigh 97.1kg (214.1lb).
The largest known member of this order is the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), a giant predator of sub-Arctic waters. This species has been confirmed to as much as 6.4m (21feet) in length and a weight of 1397kg (3,080lb), although specimens of up to 7.3m (24feet) have been reportedly caught. The Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus) has been measured only to 4.4m (14.4feet) and 888kg (1,958lb) in a gravid female, although specimens up to an estimated 7m (23feet) have been scientifically observed.[38] A single unconfirmed account exists of an enormous Pacific sleeper shark that potentially measured up to 9.2m (30.2feet) long.[39] The spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), a very common species, reaches the largest sizes of the "true dogfish" family. Specimens have been measured at up to 1.6m (05.2feet) and 9.1kg (20.1lb).
The largest of the bottom-dwelling angelsharks (named for their shape rather than disposition) is the common angelshark (Squatina squatina) of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. This species can grow up to 2.4m (07.9feet) long and weigh up to 80kg (180lb).
The largest of the electric rays is Atlantic torpedo (Torpedo nobiliana). This fish can measure 1.8m (05.9feet) long and weigh 90kg (200lb).[40] However, a length of 0.6– and weight of 30lb is more typical.[41] [42] Females attain a larger size than males.[43]
The largest of the now-extinct Acanthodii was Xylacanthus grandis, an ischnacanthiform based on a ~ long jaw bone. Based on the proportions of its relative Ischnacanthus, X. grandis had an estimated total length of .[44]
The largest living bony fish (superclass Osteichthyes, which includes both ray-finned and lobe-finned fish) are the lesser known southern sunfish (Mola alexandrini) followed by widely distributed and better known ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and, both being members of the order Tetraodontiformes. The largest verified specimen belongs to the southern sunfish discovered dead near the Azores in the Atlantic has set the record for being the largest extant bony fish with the weight of . The record size ocean sunfish crashed into a boat off Bird Island, Australia in 1910 and measured 4.3m (14.1feet) from fin-to-fin, 3.1m (10.2feet) in length and weighed about 2300kg (5,100lb),[45] while the other record for the biggest bony fish is yet held by a Mola alexandrini which was also coincidentally in mass and in length, caught off in 1996 and misidentified as a Mola mola.
As for length, the longest extant bony fish on earth is the giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne). Slender and compressed, it averages over 6m (20feet) long at maturity. A specimen caught in 1885 of 7.6m (24.9feet) in length weighed 275kg (606lb). The longest known example, which was hit by a steamship, was measured as 13.7m (44.9feet) long.[45]
Much larger bony fish existed prehistorically, the largest ever known having been Leedsichthys of the Jurassic period. This species is certainly the largest bony fish ever and perhaps the largest non-cetacean marine animal to have ever existed. Estimates of the size of this fish range from 21to and mass from 20 to 50 tons. A maximum size of 22m (72feet) and 25–30 tons has been deemed to be most realistic.[46]
The largest species is the beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) of the Caspian and Black seas, the only extant bony fish to rival the massiveness of the ocean sunfish. The largest specimen considered reliable (based on remains) was caught in the Volga estuary in 1827 and measured 7.3m (24feet) and weighed 1474kg (3,250lb).[45] The slightly smaller kaluga (Huso dauricus) or great Siberian sturgeon has been weighed reliably up to 1140kg (2,510lb) (Berg, 1932) and a length of 5.6m (18.4feet).[45] The North American white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), unverified to 907kg (2,000lb) and 6.1m (20feet), Chinese, European oceanic, and the Russian sturgeon (A. gueldenstaedtii), at as much as 1000kg (2,000lb) and 5.5m (18feet) for a 75-year-old female, also can attain great sizes.[45] Atlantics and Baikal sturgeons are following as well. These fish are sometimes called the largest freshwater fish but sturgeons spend a great deal of time in brackish water and switch back and forth between saltwater and freshwater environments in their life cycle. Also included in this order are the paddlefish and the Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius), which is now officially recognised as extinct by the IUCN (as of July 2022), is also a very large fish. Reportedly, fisherman as recently as the 1950s have caught paddlefish measuring up to 6.7m (22feet) in total length, although no specimen greater than 3.1m (10.2feet) has been scientifically measured. The weight of the Chinese paddlefish is reportedly 300to.[47]
The largest Albuliformes is the bonefish (Albula vulpes), which weighs up to 19lb and measures up to 90cm (40inches) long. It is silvery in color with dusky fins. The bases of the pectoral fins are yellow.
The bowfin (Amia calva) is the sole extant member of its order. The most distinctive characteristic of the bowfin is its very long dorsal fin consisting of 145 to 250 rays, and running from mid-back to the base of the tail. The caudal fin is a single lobe, though heterocercal.[48] They can grow up to 109cm (43inches) in length, and weigh 9.75kg (21.5lb).
The largest species of "true eel," if measured in weight and overall bulk, is the European conger (Conger conger). The maximum size of this species has been reported to 3m (10feet) and a mass of 110kg (240lb). Several moray eels can equal or exceed the previous eel in length but do not weigh as much. The longest fish in the order, at up to 4m (13feet), is the slender giant moray (Strophidon sathete) of the Indo-Pacific oceans.
An order best known for its tiny representatives, the largest species is the jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) of the Pacific Ocean. Although it reaches 45cm (18inches), it is not known to even reach 450g.
The largest species is the greater argentine (Argentina silus), that has 76cm (30inches) TL.
The largest barreleyes are javelin spookfish (Bathylychnops exilis) found in the northern Pacific and in the eastern Atlantic Ocean near the Azores where it is found at depths of around 640m (2,100feet). This species grows to a length of 50cm (20inches) SL.
Jellynose fish are benthic marine fish typically found at depths around . Size ranges from (Ateleopus japonicus) to 2 meters (Guentherus altivela).
The largest member of this order is the lancetfish (Alepisaurus ferox), found in all the world's oceans. Slender, with a huge spine, these fish can reach 2.1m (06.9feet) long and can weigh up to 11kg (24lb).[49]
The largest toadfish is the Pacuma toadfish (Batrachoides surinamensis), reaching a size of up to 5lb and 23inches.
The largest member of this order, best known for its members' ability to breach the water and glide through the sky, is the pelagic Houndfish (Tylosurus crocodilus), a slender fish at up to 1.5m (04.9feet) and a weight of 6.35kg (14lb). The largest true "flying fish" is the Japanese flying fish (Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus japonicus), which can range up to 0.5m (01.6feet) in length and weigh over 1kg (02lb).[47]
Best known for their highly poisonous barbs, the squirrelfish's largest representative is the giant squirrelfish (Sargocentron spiniferum) of the Indo-Pacific, at up to 51cm (20inches) and 2.6kg (05.7lb). The slimmer Holocentrus adscensionis from warm parts of the Atlantic can reach even greater lengths of up to 61cm (24inches).
Known for flesh that feels flabby to the touch, this order reaches largest sizes in the flabby whalefish (Gyrinomimus grahami) of all southern oceans. This species, which can range up to 0.45m (01.48feet) in length and weigh 1.5kg (03.3lb), is sometimes commercially fished.[47] [50]
The largest species is the African freshwater fish, the giant tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath). The top size of this fish is 1.5m (04.9feet) and 50kg (110lb).[51] Among the largest of the characin family is the popular sport-fish, the golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis), which can reach up to 1m (03feet) in length and weigh 31.4kg (69.2lb). Among the characins are the infamous neotropical piranhas. Carnivorous species can grow up to 0.43m (01.41feet), although the Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), at up to 1m (03feet) and 32.4kg (71.4lb), is often considered a giant, herbivorous form of piranha.[47]
The largest herring is probably the Dorab wolf herring (Chirocentrus dorab) of the Indo-Pacific oceans. The maximum size of this species has been reported as much as 1.8m (05.9feet), but these slender fish have never been recorded as exceeding 3.4kg (07.5lb) in weight.[47] The so-called "king of herrings" is not a herring, but an oarfish.
The minnow family (which includes carp), Cyprinidae, is the largest family of vertebrates, with over 2400 species known today.[52] The largest species is the giant barb (Catlocarpio siamensis), which is endemic to three river basins in southeast Asia and reaches a size of as much as 3m (10feet) and a weight of as much as 300kg (700lb). In centuries past, mahseer, specifically the golden mahseer (Tor putitora) of Southern Asia was reported to reach similar lengths, but the species has been overfished and specimens nearly as large as the giant barb have not been reported in recent centuries.[47]
The largest species in this small but interesting order (formerly allied with the salmonids) is the muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) of the rivers of North America. These predatory fish can grow up to 1.8m (05.9feet) and 45.4kg (100.1lb).[53]
The largest species in this relatively small-bodied order is the Pacific four-eyed fish (Anableps dowei), reaching a size of 34cm (13inches) and 588g.
This small order is usually considered closely related to the true eels although its members are very different in appearance and behavior from eels. The largest species is much-coveted-sport fish, the Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus). The maximum recorded size for this species is 161kg (355lb) and length is up to 2.5m (08.2feet).
The Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) grows to 2m (07feet) long and 96kg (212lb).
The largest form of stickleback, a small, cylindric type of fish, is the sea stickleback or fifteenspine stickleback (Spinachia spinachia). This species can range up to 22cm (09inches) in length and weigh up to 8.5g.[47]
These bottom-dwelling fish reach their maximum size in Sicyases sanguineus. This species can reach 30cm (10inches) in length and weigh up to 1kg (02lb).[47]
The well-known milkfish (Chanos chanos) is the largest member of this order. The maximum size is 22.7kg (50lb) and 1.84m (06.04feet) long.[47]
The largest knifefish is the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) The electric eel has an elongated, cylindrical body, typically growing to about 2m (07feet) in length, and 20kg (40lb) in weight, making it the largest species of the Gymnotiformes.[54]
Only two extant species are known to exist in this relatively new order. The larger of the two is the goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) from the northern rivers of North America, which can reach up to 0.5m (01.6feet) in length and can weigh 1.8kg (04lb).[55]
The largest member of this small but fascinating order is the aforementioned king of herrings or oarfish (Regalecus glesne), the longest extant bony fish on earth. Another interesting big fish in this order is the opah (Lampris guttatus), which as opposed to the king of herrings, is massive and has a chunky, rounded shape. Opahs can range up to 2m (07feet) in length and weigh up to 270kg (600lb).
The largest of the gar, and the largest entirely freshwater fish in North America, is the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula). The largest gar ever known, caught in Louisiana in 1925, was 3m (10feet) in length and weighed 137kg (302lb).[45]
The largest of this diverse order is the common goosefish (Lophius piscatorius) found in the northeastern Atlantic off Europe and North Africa. This big-mouthed fish can attain a size of 58kg (128lb) and a length of 2m (07feet).
The largest of the numerous but small lanternfish is Bolin's lanternfish (Gymnoscopelus bolini) of the Indo-Pacific oceans, at up to 249g and 35cm (14inches).[47]
The largest of mullets flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) have dark centers which give the appearance of a series (6–7) of dark horizontal stripes. The fish grow to lengths up to 60cm (20inches) with weights as high as 4kg (09lb).
The largest member of this order is the widely distributed giant cusk-eels (Lamprogrammus shcherbachevi). A cuskeel can be nearly 2m (07feet) long, but even large fish probably aren't much over 10kg (20lb) since they are quite slender.[47]
The largest smelt is the rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax). The body of the rainbow smelt is slender and cylindrical. When full grown, the rainbow smelt is between 7inchesand9inchesin (andin) long and weighs about 3oz. Individuals over 12inches long are known.
The largest species is the South American fish usually known as the arapaima (Arapaima gigas). The maximum size this species can attain is a matter of some controversy and some rank it among the world's largest freshwater fishes. No individual arapaima over 3m (10feet) has been verified and measured. The skeleton of a fish reported to have been measured by native hunters as 4.5m (14.8feet) and weighing 200kg (400lb) when caught, was later examined as a skeleton scientifically and was found to have been roughly within that outsized dimension.[45]
The title of the largest member of this order, the most numerous order of all vertebrates, is a matter of some debate. A large marlin is the biggest of these fishes: the black marlin (Makaira indica) of the Indo-Pacific, the Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) and the Indo-Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara). All of these similarly sized species can exceptionally reach up to 5m (16feet) in length and weight may be as much as 907kg (2,000lb) or even 1106kg (2,438lb).[47] [56] Another notable giant of the perch order is the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) of the Northern Atlantic ocean, which has been verified at up to 4.4m (14.4feet) and 679kg (1,497lb), although can reportedly reach 910kg (2,010lb).[57] [58] The swordfish (Xiphias gladius) can reach a maximum weight of 650kg (1,430lb) and length of 4.5m (14.8feet). 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.[59] 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.[60] The blennies can range up to 0.55m (01.8feet) in the hairtail blenny (Xiphasia setifer) of the Indo-Pacific.[47] 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.[61] [62] 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.[63] 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).[64] 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).[65] 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).[66] 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).[47] [67]
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.[47]
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).[47]
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.[47]
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).[68] 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.[47] 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.[47] The Cottidae can range up to 0.7m (02.3feet) and 11kg (24lb) in the cabezon (Scorpaenicthys marmoratus) of coastal North America.[47]
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.[45] This fish has been recorded at sizes up to 350kg (770lb) and 3m (10feet).[69] [70] [71] 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).[45] 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,[72] at up to 18 centimetres standard length (SL; a measurement excluding the caudal fin).[73] 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.[47] 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.[47]
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).[47]
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).[47] 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.[74]
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).[47]
The largest living (non-tetrapod) 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).[75]
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).[76] The pectoral and pelvic fins are also very long and thin, almost spaghetti-like.