The most dangerous fish Description of rare marine and freshwater fish Which fish is the rarest

The date: 06.11.2021

1. Ambon Scorpionfish, lat. Pteroidichthys amboinensis.

Opened in 1856. Easily recognizable by the huge "eyebrows" - specific growths above the eyes. Able to change color and shed. Conducts "guerrilla" hunting - disguising itself at the bottom and waiting for the victim. Not uncommon and quite well studied, but her extravagant appearance is simply not to be missed! (Roger Steene/Conservation International)

2. Psychedelic frogfish (eng. Psychedelic Frogfish, lat. Histiophryne psychedelica).

Opened in 2009. A very unusual fish - the tail fin is curved to the side, the pectoral fins are modified and look like the paws of land animals. The head is large, wide-spaced eyes are directed forward, like in vertebrates, due to which the fish has a kind of "facial expression". The color of the fish is yellow or reddish with sinuous white-blue stripes radiating in different directions from the blue eyes. Unlike other fish that swim, this species moves as if by jumping, pushing off the bottom with its pectoral fins and pushing water out of the gill slits, creating jet thrust. The tail of the fish is bent to the side and cannot directly direct the movement of the body, therefore it oscillates from side to side. Also, the fish can crawl along the bottom with the help of pectoral fins, turning them over like legs. (David Hall/EOL Rapid Response Team)

3. Rag-picker (eng. Leafy Seadragon, lat. Phycodurus eques).

Opened in 1865. Representatives of this species of fish are notable for the fact that their entire body and head are covered with processes that mimic the thallus of algae. Although these processes look like fins, they do not take part in swimming, they serve for camouflage (both when hunting shrimp and for protection from enemies). It lives in the waters of the Indian Ocean, washing southern, southeastern and southwestern Australia, as well as northern and eastern Tasmania. Feeds on plankton, small shrimps, algae. Having no teeth, the rag-picker swallows food whole. (lecate/Flickr)

4. Moon-fish (eng. Ocean Sunfish, lat. Mola mola).

Opened in 1758. The laterally compressed body is extremely high and short, which gives the fish an extremely strange appearance: it resembles a disk in shape. The tail is very short, wide and truncated; dorsal, caudal and anal fins are interconnected. The skin of the moon fish is thick and elastic, covered with small bony tubercles. You can often see the moon-fish lying on its side on the surface of the water. An adult moonfish is a very poor swimmer, unable to overcome strong currents. It feeds on plankton, as well as squid, eel larvae, salps, ctenophores and jellyfish. It can reach gigantic sizes of several tens of meters and weigh 1.5 tons. (Franco Banfi)

5. Broad-nosed chimera (English Broadnose chimaera, lat. Rhinochimaera atlantica).

Opened in 1909. Utterly disgusting-looking jelly-like fish. It lives on the deep bottom of the Atlantic Ocean and feeds on mollusks. Very poorly studied. (Jay Burnett, NOAA/NMFS/NEFSC)

6. Frilled Shark, lat. Chlamydoselachus anguineus.

Opened in 1884. These sharks look much more like a strange sea snake or eel than their closest relatives. In the frilled shark, the gill openings, of which there are six on each side, are covered with skin folds. In this case, the membranes of the first gill slit cross the throat of the fish and are connected to each other, forming a wide skin lobe. Along with the goblin shark, it is one of the rarest sharks on the planet. No more than a hundred specimens of these fish are known. They are very poorly studied. (Awashima Marine Park/Getty Images)

7. Indonesian coelacanth (English Indonesian Coelacanth, lat. Latimeria menadoensis).

Opened in 1999. Living fossil and probably the oldest fish on Earth. Before the discovery of the first representative of the order of coelicans, which includes coelacanth, he was considered completely extinct. The time of divergence of two modern species of coelacanths is 30-40 million years. No more than a dozen were caught alive. (Pearson-Benjamin Cummings)

8. Hairy monkfish (Eng. Hairy Angler, lat. Caulophryne polynema).

Opened in 1930. Very strange and scary fish that live in the deep bottom, where there is no sunlight - from 1 km and deeper. To lure the inhabitants of the deep sea, it uses a special luminous outgrowth on the forehead, characteristic of the entire detachment of anglerfish. Thanks to a special metabolism and extremely sharp teeth, he can eat anything that comes across, even if the victim is many times larger and is also a predator. It reproduces no less strange than it looks and eats - due to the unusually harsh conditions and the rarity of fish, the male (ten times smaller than the female) attaches itself to the flesh of his chosen one and passes everything he needs through the blood. (BBC)

9. Drop fish (eng. Blobfish, lat. Psychrolutes marcidus).

Opened in 1926. Often mistaken for a joke. In fact, this is a very real species of deep-sea bottom marine fish of the Psycholute family, which on the surface take on a “jelly” appearance with a “sad expression”. It is poorly studied, but this is enough to recognize it as one of the most bizarre. Pictured is a copy of the Australian Museum. (Kerryn Parkinson/Australian Museum)

10. Smallmouth macropinna (eng., lat. Macropinna microstoma) - winner for quirkiness.

Opened in 1939. It lives at a very great depth, therefore it is poorly studied. In particular, the principle of fish vision was not entirely clear. It was supposed that she must experience very great difficulties in view of the fact that she sees only upwards. Only in 2009 was the structure of the eye of this fish fully studied. Apparently, when trying to study it earlier, the fish simply could not stand the change in pressure. The most notable feature of this species is the transparent dome-shaped shell that covers its head from above and to the sides, and the large, usually upward-pointing, cylindrical eyes that are found under this shell. A dense and elastic overlying sheath is attached to the scales of the back at the back, and on the sides - to the wide and transparent periocular bones, which provide protection for the organs of vision. This overlying structure is usually lost (or at least severely damaged) when fish are brought to the surface in trawls and nets, so its existence was not known until recently. Under the covering shell is a chamber filled with a transparent liquid, in which, in fact, the eyes of the fish are located; the eyes of living fish are painted bright green and are separated by a thin bony septum, which, extending backwards, expands and accommodates the brain. Anterior to each eye, but behind the mouth, is a large, rounded pocket that contains an olfactory receptor rosette. That is, what at first glance in photographs of live fish seems to be eyes, is actually an olfactory organ. The green color is caused by the presence of a specific yellow pigment in them. It is believed that this pigment provides a special filtering of light coming from above and reduces its brightness, which allows the fish to distinguish the bioluminescence of potential prey. (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

A person still knows very little who lives in the depths of the ocean, but even our knowledge is enough to understand that, in addition to cute fish, the most nightmarish creatures swim there. At least we can make the TOP 10 most terrible fish in the world, keeping in mind their appearance or habits.

1 Great White Shark

As far as we know now, the most terrible fish in the world's oceans is the white shark. This very ancient species is huge and bloodthirsty. The size of the white shark is such that any marine life, except killer whales and large whales, is prey for it. Included in its menu and human meat, but infrequently - as a delicacy. In the huge mouth of the white shark, several rows of very sharp teeth are hidden, which are constantly updated throughout its life. The length of the white shark can reach up to 10 meters, and it easily bites a large prey - a seal or a person - in half.

2. Longhorn sabertooth

If we take into account only appearance, then the long-horned saber-toothed fish looks the most terrifying, it is also an ordinary saber-tooth and an ordinary needle-tooth. She actually looks quite scary and not very nice. This fish has a disproportionately large head. The body of adults is black. Long thin teeth protrude from both jaws of the fish. Interestingly, in appearance, young saber-tooths are very different from adults, so scientists for a long time even attributed them to a different species. They have a different body structure, pointed spikes on their heads and a lighter color, and they live at shallower depths.
These fish, resembling gargoyles, live at great depths of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans in tropical and subtropical latitudes. These horror stories feed on crustaceans, small fish and squid. The young growth of the long-horned sabertooth itself is food for larger predators: tuna and no less terrible alepisaurs.

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3. Drop fish

Off the coast of Australia and Tasmania, at a very great depth (presumably 600-1200 meters), there is a drop fish, which also made the list of the most terrible fish. More precisely, it is not so much scary as unattractive and somewhat disgusting looking. Local fishermen call it the "Australian goby".
The fish resembles at the same time the displeased senile face of a person and some kind of embryo because of the watery, slippery body. However, for a person it does not pose a danger, if only because a person never appears at a kilometer depth, and the fish does not swim near the surface. The drop fish lacks a swim bladder. The expression of the "face" of this fish is sad, even dull. This fish is inedible, but recently it has been increasingly caught by fishermen, which is why scientists began to fear for the safety of this species - maybe that's why the drop fish is so grieving? It will take at least a decade to restore its population.

4. Goblin shark

The goblin shark (Mitzekurina, Scapanorhynchus) also lives at great depths, but its population is probably not numerous. At least to date, only a few such specimens (less than 50 fish) have been caught. Scientists have no idea about the habits of this mysterious deep-sea monster. So far, they have only been able to establish that this species lives in the warm waters of all oceans at a depth of more than 200 meters. This shark is sometimes called a "goblin" for its intimidating appearance with a huge growth on its head and retractable forward, almost like an "Alien" jaws. Collectors of natural wonders greatly appreciate such jaws.

5. Latimeria

The coelacanth fish is an incredibly ancient species considered to be a living fossil. For hundreds of millions of years, it has changed little in its structure. The appearance of the coelacanth is creepy, but it is not a very mobile fish and spends a lot of time in underwater caves.
At the moment, two species of coelacanths have been found, one lives in the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean, off the coast of South Africa, and the second was discovered at the very end of the last century near the island of Sulawesi. Coelacanths are covered, like armor, with powerful scales, which is a good defense for them. The scales of coelacanths are unique, unlike any other modern fish, on its outer surface there are many protrusions that make the scales look like a file. They feed on coelacanths, anchovies, cardinal fish, cephalopods, cuttlefish and even big-headed sharks.

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6. Monkfish

Angler fish or the European angler is not uncommon, it lives almost along the entire European coast, from the Black Sea to the Barents Sea. The fish was named so because of its ugly appearance - a naked, scaleless body, a huge head with a large mouth.
This monster is able to glow in the darkness of the deep sea - a luminous outgrowth-rod looms in front of the fish's mouth, which lures prey to itself. This fish belongs to the anglerfish order, and given that it reaches an impressive two-meter length and a human weight of 60 kg, it is easy to imagine how such a monster can scare.

7. Viper fish

The frightening appearance has become the main reason for the popularity of the viper fish: a long thin body with luminous points, a disproportionately large mouth dotted with needle-sharp teeth, a luminous fin - a rod that lures rustic victims into this mouth. The habitat of this fish is extensive - the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. But in this case, this fish is quite small - only 25 centimeters long.
This small predator is also deep-sea - it lives at about a kilometer depth, and if necessary, it can even descend into a 4-kilometer abyss. But this nocturnal predator hunts near the surface for small fish and other living creatures, after which it again plunges into the less populated depths of the ocean, where it can feel relatively safe.

8. Wart (stonefish)

Divers see on the seabed a lot of different stones, differing in color and shape. However, some stones may move unexpectedly. This is how the warty mimics under the underwater stone - the most poisonous fish in the world. The body of the fish is covered with soft skin with bumps, like warts, which helps it skillfully disguise itself at the bottom, pretending to be a nondescript stone. But the sharp poisonous dorsal fins of this fish are especially dangerous, for which it was also called the wasp fish, and the Australian natives called it the warty vampire.
The length of an adult wart can reach 40 cm, although some divers claim that they have met half a meter of warts. The color of the stone fish can vary from brown to green, with reddish-orange spots. Despite the danger and repulsive appearance, the wart is an edible fish that is used to make sashimi. But the spines on the dorsal fin can easily pierce shoes and injure the leg, which often ends in the death of a person.

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9. Big tiger fish

This predatory freshwater fish, which is also called the giant hydrocin or goliath, and the locals - mbenga. The predator's mouth is armed with rare but impressive 32 fangs resembling crocodiles. She can easily not only bite the fishing line, but also the rod or hand of a careless angler. Goliath is not named so by chance - it is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, which can weigh up to 100 kilograms. This monster lives in Central Africa, in the Congo Basin and Lake Tanganyika. In the Congo, there have been cases of attacks by a river giant on people. Locals claim that the Mbenga is the only fish that is not afraid of the crocodile.

10. Vampire Haracin

Payar fish or characin live in the Amazon River basin. But she also has another sonorous name - "vampire" for two incredibly long lower fangs, with which she holds her prey (usually smaller fish). This fish is a coveted trophy for professional anglers. Adult fish grow in the vastness of the Amazon up to one and a half meters in length, but at the same time they weigh relatively little - 14 kilograms. The lower fangs, which gave the name “vampire” to the haracin, can grow up to 16 centimeters. With the help of such a formidable weapon, the fish is able to get to the deeply hidden internal organs of the attacked victim, since it accurately determines their location.

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All the waters of our planet are densely populated by various inhabitants. Sometimes in the depths of the seas and oceans, rivers and lakes there are such amazing fish that people have not even heard of. Read the article below for all the fun about strange (and sometimes scary) fish.

armored pike

Shell pike are the largest fish found in the fresh waters of North and Central America, as well as the island of Cuba. Their body is covered with a shell of surprisingly strong scales (hence the name). The second name of these awesome creatures is the alligator fish.

The heads of these two aquatic inhabitants are very similar in shape. The weight of the pike reaches 120 kg, and the body length is up to 300 cm. The heavy body of the fish prevents it from making clever maneuvers in the water, so the alligator fish, like the common pike, waits for its prey in ambush while hunting. It feeds on smaller fish, does not disdain ducks and small waterfowl. In addition, these amazing fish often eat waste, thereby purifying the pond.

The armored pike, due to its appearance and size, is considered an enviable catch for the fisherman. But you should know that its meat is little eaten, it is tasteless and tough. Caviar is completely poisonous to humans.

frilled shark

Japanese fishermen know exactly what the most amazing fish look like, because once they managed to get a female frilled shark in the net. This most ancient is also the most unexplored, mysterious. Very rarely, such fish floats to the surface, preferring depths from 500 to 1000 meters.

The appearance of the frilled man differs from sharks, it looks more like an eel or a sea snake. And the creature hunts, almost like a snake, bending its body and making a sharp jerk forward. The frilled shark has no commercial value, as it rarely gets into the net, because its length is about 2 meters. The fishermen of Japan even call it a pest, as it happens that the shark spoils the nets.

The fish is interesting in that among all vertebrates it has the longest gestation period - 3.5 years. There can be up to 15 cubs in a litter. The frilled shark is a viviparous fish.

Moonfish - a harmless giant

The moon fish has impressive dimensions: length - up to 3 m, weight - about 1400 kg. Her huge body has a round (like the disk of the moon) shape and is strongly flattened laterally. These amazing fish at a young age swim like others but then everything changes.

Adults swim near the surface of the water, occasionally lazily moving their fins. Almost does not react to approach. They do no harm to humans. However, the fishermen of South Africa are superstitious when they see this fish, and even cancel fishing by turning the boats towards home. This can be explained simply - the approach of an individual is associated with the upcoming bad weather at sea, since the moonfish often appears near the shore just before the storm. She simply can not cope with the intensifying current.

This giant bony fish feeds on small and easy prey: small fish, jellyfish, plankton and small crustaceans.

Amazing fish of the world: stone fish

This ugly and scary creature that lives in the ocean is very poisonous. A small fish (no more than 20 cm in length) has a very large head, small eyes and a huge mouth. The naked body has a brownish color, sometimes with spots or stripes. There are bumps and warts on the body, so the creature is sometimes also called a warthog. Venomous spikes protrude from the dorsal fin of the stonefish.

At any touch, the fish sticks its thorns into the victim and releases a very dangerous poison. A person without an antidote can die within hours of encountering a dangerous seabed dweller.

Most often, stone fish lives in thickets of algae or corals. She buries herself in silt or sand, disguises herself with mud. It's not just a lazy lifestyle - it's ambush hunting. Predators feed on small fish, shrimp and crustaceans.

The fish is also interesting because it can survive without water for quite a long time. A case was recorded when a stone fish lived on land for 20 hours!

The saddest fish in the world

The blob fish is known for its unpleasant appearance, which distinguishes it from other species. The deep-sea inhabitant of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans is most often found off the coast of Australia, Tasmania.

Why are these amazing fish so unpleasant? The body up to 70 cm long is completely naked, has no scales. Fins are also missing. The body of a drop fish is very reminiscent of a shapeless gelatinous mass with sad eyes. Her nose is vaguely reminiscent of a human. There is no swim bladder in individuals of this species - it is not needed at great depths. The drop fish does not have muscles, it simply swims with the current with its mouth open, into which food comes across. Most often this food is plankton.

What can make a drop fish attractive in the eyes of people? Her concern for offspring. She carefully incubates her eggs and does not disregard the younger generation.

Lamprey fishing is common. It is believed that its meat is very tasty, but not every gourmet dares to taste it.

The most amazing fish in the world: deep-sea tripod

There are quite a lot of inhabitants on the seabed, and most of them have a frightening appearance: anglerfish, grenadier, bighead and others. The tripod fish, famous for its three legs, as the name implies, also lives here. In fact, of course, these are not legs, but bony rays that extend from the body by almost a meter. Sinking closer to the bottom, a tripod rests on them. When she stands - the rays are hard, as soon as the fish swims - the rays immediately soften. The tripod itself regulates their stiffness.

Another difference from fish that live at great depths is the well-developed eyes located on the sides of the body. This is one way tripods survive. The fish is a hermaphrodite, since at great depths it is rarely possible to meet an individual of the desired sex.

Amazing fish, the photos of which you see in this article, live all over the world. There are a huge number of them on our planet, and it is simply impossible to tell about them all in one article. Some of the most interesting representatives of salt and fresh waters of the world are selected here.

Among the variety of fish living in the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes, as well as in aquariums, there are very expensive and rare species that cost a lot of money.

Fugu fish (price $ 100-500)

Fugu, also called ball fish, is recognized by culinary experts as one of the most dangerous to use as food. Only trained culinary masters are allowed to cut it using a special technology, only then it becomes available to fans of restaurant extreme sports and exotic dishes. Due to the complexity of cooking, a small portion of this fish can cost up to $500. No wonder the Japanese consider this delicacy the most expensive in their country.

Goldfish (price $ 1.5 thousand)

No one would refuse a goldfish in their property, even if it results in a round sum. In the waters of the South Korean island of Cheyu, there are fish with scales that cast a stunning golden tint. But the price of this treasure reaches 1.5 thousand dollars. Very cool!

Beluga albino (price $ 2.5 thousand)

Fine caviar of albino beluga fish is appreciated everywhere. Speaking of the most expensive fish in the world, it is worth noting why they are highly valued. You can say about the albino beluga - due to the fact that it spawns only once a century. Its weight can reach one ton. And for 100 grams of her caviar, you will have to pay 2.5 thousand dollars. Luxurious delicacy!

Arowana (price $ 80 thousand)

The beautiful arowana aquarium fish, also called the dragon fish, is highly valued by fish collectors and admirers of the unique inhabitants of the seas. According to legend, the owner of such a fish is guaranteed happiness. These fish, which belong to the oldest species, can be seen in the aquariums decorating the offices of the world's largest corporations.

Tuna weighing 108 kilograms (price $ 178 thousand)

The tuna, unique in size, is called the champion - because of its price paid by the buyer. Large tunas are not a rare prey for fishermen. Soon, a new record was set at an auction in Tokyo.

Tuna weighing 200 kilograms (price $ 230 thousand)

Another record holder was also sold in Tokyo. Weighing almost twice as much tuna was estimated at 230 thousand dollars. This was the record for the year 2000 of this auction.

Russian sturgeon (price $289 thousand)

The most expensive of the Russian sturgeons is recognized as a specimen caught back in 1924 by local fishermen in the Tikhaya Pine River. The sturgeon "pulled" 1.227 tons, while he gave caviar - 245 kilograms. It is for this caviar of excellent quality that sturgeons are ranked among the most valuable fish in the world. At today's auction, that sturgeon would sell for at least $289,000.

Platinum arowana (price $400 thousand)

A unique mutant fish called the platinum arowana stands out from the dragonfish family with its unique coloration. The owner of this phenomenon, who lives in Singapore, categorically does not agree to part with his favorite, despite the big money offered.

Tuna weighing 269 kilograms (price $ 730 thousand)

The record holder among tuna is a specimen that was caught and sold in 2012. Due to its weight and its price - it sold for $730,000 - this tuna is considered the largest and most expensive in history. And it is also sold in the Tokyo market.

Bluefin tuna, weighing 222 kilograms (price $ 1.76 million)

The champion's pedestal among the most expensive fish is occupied by bluefin tuna, which has reached a weight of 222 kilograms, for which the buyer paid over 1.5 million dollars. He also broke his own earlier record for buying heavyweight tuna. A small piece of this record-breaking tuna costs 20 euros.

June 11, 1910 was born Jacques Yves Cousteau - the most famous explorer of the ocean and the inventor of aqualung. In honor of the oceanographer's birthday, we present to you a selection of the most unusual inhabitants of the world's oceans, discovered not without the help of his invention

(Total 10 photos)