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List of near threatened fishes facts for kids

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In September 2016, a group called the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) looked at many different fish species. They found that 548 types of fish were "near threatened." This means these fish are not yet in serious danger of disappearing, but they might become threatened in the future if we don't protect them. About 3.6% of all the fish species they checked were listed as near threatened.

The IUCN also listed seven types of fish subspecies (which are like smaller groups within a species) as near threatened. Sometimes, only a part of a fish population, called a subpopulation, is near threatened. The IUCN found ten such fish subpopulations.

This article lists some of the fish species and subspecies that are considered near threatened by the IUCN.

Status iucn3.1 NT
Near threatened (NT) species are not yet critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable, but they are likely to become threatened soon, or are already very close to it.

Cartilaginous Fish: Sharks, Rays, and More

Cartilaginous fish are a special group that includes sharks, rays, skates, and sawfish. Instead of bones, their skeletons are made of a flexible material called cartilage. In 2016, 118 species and eight subpopulations of these fish were listed as near threatened.

Rays and Skates

Rays and skates are flat-bodied fish that often live on the ocean floor. Many types are near threatened.

Ground Sharks

Ground sharks are a large group of sharks that often live near the bottom of the ocean. There are 35 species and one subpopulation of ground sharks that are near threatened.

Requiem Sharks

Requiem sharks are a family of sharks that live in warm waters. Many well-known sharks belong to this group. Species

Subpopulations

Houndsharks

Houndsharks are usually smaller sharks that live in coastal waters.

Catsharks

Catsharks are a very diverse group of sharks, often found in deep waters. They get their name from their cat-like eyes.

  • Coral catshark (Atelomycterus marmoratus)
  • Pyjama shark (Poroderma africanum)
  • Nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris)

Other Ground Sharks

Other ground shark species that are near threatened include:

Carpet Sharks

Carpet sharks are a group of sharks that often have patterns like carpets on their skin. Species

Subpopulations

Squaliformes (Dogfish Sharks)

Squaliformes are a group of sharks that includes dogfish. Many of these live in deep waters. Species

Subpopulations

Other Cartilaginous Fish

This group includes other interesting cartilaginous fish that are near threatened. Species

Subpopulations

Lampreys

Lampreys are ancient, jawless fish that look a bit like eels.

  • Caspian lamprey (Caspiomyzon wagneri)
  • Klamath lamprey (Entosphenus similis)

Ray-finned Fish

Ray-finned fish are the largest group of fish, making up almost all fish species. They have fins supported by bony rays. There are 425 species, seven subspecies, and one subpopulation of ray-finned fish assessed as near threatened.

Silversides

Silversides are small, slender fish often found in coastal or freshwater environments.

  • Blackfin silverside (Atherinella crystallina)
  • Gulf grunion (Leuresthes sardina)

Toothcarps

Toothcarps are small freshwater fish, often popular in aquariums. Species

  • Lake Tuz toothcarp (Aphanius anatoliae)
  • Blue lyretail (Fundulopanchax gardneri)
  • Blotched gambusia (Gambusia senilis)

Subspecies

  • Nigerian killi (Fundulopanchax gardneri nigerianus)

Cypriniformes (Carps, Minnows, Loaches)

This large group includes many common freshwater fish like carps, minnows, and loaches. There are 122 species and one subspecies in this group that are near threatened.

Hillstream Loaches

These loaches are adapted to fast-flowing streams.

  • Banded mountain zipper loach (Acanthocobitis urophthalmus)
  • Palestine loach (Oxynoemacheilus insignis)

True Loaches

True loaches are bottom-dwelling fish, often with slender bodies.

  • Romanian loach (Sabanejewia romanica)
  • Barred loach (Syncrossus beauforti)

Cyprinids

Cyprinids are a huge family of freshwater fish, including carps and minnows. Species

Subspecies

  • Ot baligi (Phoxinellus zeregi meandri)

Suckers

Suckers are freshwater fish named for their thick, fleshy lips used for feeding on the bottom.

  • Modoc sucker (Catostomus microps)
  • Blackfin sucker (Thoburnia atripinnis)

Catfish

Catfish are known for their prominent whisker-like barbels around their mouths.

  • Gangetic ailia (Ailia coila)
  • Crocodile catfish (Bagarius suchus)
  • Broadhead catfish (Clarias macrocephalus)
  • Panda (Corydoras panda)
  • Carolina madtom (Noturus furiosus)
  • Blue-eyed plec (Panaque cochliodon)

Perciformes (Perch-like Fish)

Perciformes is the largest order of fish, including many familiar species like perches, groupers, and cichlids. There are 140 species and one subspecies in this order assessed as near threatened.

Cichlids

Cichlids are a diverse family of freshwater fish, very popular in aquariums. Species

Subspecies

  • Sarotherodon galilaeus multifasciatus

Percids

Percids include perches and darters, often found in freshwater.

  • Coppercheek darter (Etheostoma aquali)
  • Smallscale darter (Etheostoma microlepidum)
  • Freckled darter (Percina lenticula)

Epinephelids (Groupers)

Groupers are large, predatory fish often found in marine environments.

Eleotrids (Gudgeons)

Eleotrids are often called gudgeons and are found in freshwater and brackish habitats.

  • Freshwater gudgeon (Eleotris aquadulcis)
  • Redfin bully (Gobiomorphus huttoni)

Gobies

Gobies are typically small fish, often with fused pelvic fins that form a suction cup.

Sparids (Seabreams)

Sparids are known as seabreams or porgies, often found in coastal marine waters.

Wrasses

Wrasses are a large family of colorful marine fish.

Other Perciformes Species

Many other types of perch-like fish are also near threatened.

Osteoglossiformes (Bony-tongued Fish)

This group includes fish with bony tongues and often unique scales. Species

  • Royal knifefish (Chitala blanci)
  • Saratoga (Scleropages leichardti)

Subspecies

  • Marcusenius senegalensis pfaffi

Characiformes (Characins)

Characiformes are mostly freshwater fish found in South America and Africa, including piranhas and tetras.

  • Brycon alburnus
  • Curimata mivartii

Scorpaeniformes (Sculpins and Rockfish)

This group includes fish with armored heads and often venomous spines.

  • Rough sculpin (Cottus asperrimus)
  • Shoshone sculpin (Cottus greenei)

Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Triggerfish)

These fish have unique body shapes and often strong jaws.

Eels

Eels are long, snake-like fish.

Other Ray-finned Fish

Many other types of ray-finned fish are also near threatened. Species

Subspecies

Subpopulations

Hagfishes

Hagfishes are ancient, jawless fish that produce a lot of slime as a defense.

See also

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