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List of critically endangered fishes facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Status iucn3.1 CR
Critically endangered (CR) species face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Many fish species around the world are in danger of disappearing forever. As of July 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 1,000 different kinds of critically endangered fish. This means they face a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Among these, 87 species are even thought to be possibly extinct already. About 3% of all fish species that have been checked are critically endangered.

The IUCN also lists four types of fish subspecies as critically endangered. A subspecies is like a special group within a species. Also, 20 groups of fish species and one group of fish subspecies are critically endangered.

It's important to know that for many fish species (about 3,191, or 21% of those checked), there isn't enough information to know their conservation status. These are called "data deficient." The IUCN says that these species often live in small areas or have small populations, which means they are probably in danger. Even though we don't know their exact risk, they should be treated with the same care as threatened species until more is known.

Fish in Danger: Cartilaginous Fishes

Cartilaginous fishes are a special group that includes sharks, rays, skates, and shovelnose rays. Their skeletons are made of cartilage, not bone. Many of these amazing creatures are critically endangered. For example, most of the order Rhinopristiformes, which includes sawfish and guitarfish, are in serious trouble. The IUCN lists 28 out of 64 evaluated species in this group as critically endangered.

Sharks Facing High Risk

Many types of sharks are critically endangered. Here are some examples:

Rays and Skates in Peril

Rays and skates, known for their flat bodies, also have many critically endangered species.

Sawfish and Guitarfish: Critically Endangered

The Rhinopristiformes group includes sawfish, which have long, saw-like snouts, and guitarfish, which look like a mix between a shark and a ray. Many of these are critically endangered.

Critically Endangered Subpopulations Some specific groups (subpopulations) of these fish are also critically endangered:

Fish in Danger: Ray-finned Fishes

Ray-finned fish are the largest group of fish, with fins supported by bony rays. A total of 431 species, four subspecies, and several subpopulations of ray-finned fish are critically endangered.

Sturgeons and Paddlefishes: Ancient Fish in Trouble

Acipenseriformes includes sturgeons and paddlefishes, which are very old types of fish. Many of them are critically endangered.

  • Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)
  • Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)
  • Beluga (Huso huso)
  • Syr Darya sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus fedtschenkoi) (possibly extinct)
  • Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)

Endangered Sturgeon Subpopulations Some groups of sturgeons are also critically endangered:

Salmon and Trout: Cold Water Fish at Risk

The Salmoniformes group includes salmon and trout, which are popular fish often found in colder waters.

Critically Endangered Salmon Subpopulations

Minnows, Loaches, and Carps: Freshwater Fish in Danger

The Cypriniformes order includes many freshwater fish like carps, minnows, and loaches. This group has a large number of critically endangered species.

Catfishes: Bottom Dwellers in Trouble

The Siluriformes order includes catfishes, known for their whisker-like barbels.

Perch-like Fish: Diverse Group, High Risk

The Perciformes order is very diverse, including many familiar fish like cichlids, gobies, and groupers. Many species in this group are critically endangered.

Cichlids: Lake Dwellers Under Threat

Cichlids are a large family of fish, many of which live in freshwater lakes.

  • Arrow cichlid (Amphilophus zaliosus)
  • Many Haplochromis species from Lake Victoria are possibly extinct, such as Haplochromis aelocephalus and Haplochromis antleter.
  • Singidia tilapia (Oreochromis esculentus)
  • Lake Chala tilapia (Oreochromis hunteri)

Gobies: Small Fish, Big Problems

Gobies are generally small fish, often found in coastal waters or freshwater.

  • Elizabeth Springs goby (Chlamydogobius micropterus)
  • Danube delta dwarf goby (Knipowitschia cameliae) (possibly extinct)
  • Dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka pygmaea)

Other Perciformes at Risk

Other critically endangered fish in this large order include:

Critically Endangered Subpopulations

Other Critically Endangered Fish Species

Beyond the main groups, several other unique fish species are also critically endangered:

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See also

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