List of vulnerable fishes facts for kids

In September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 1,245 different types of vulnerable fish. This means about 8.1% of all fish species they checked were considered vulnerable. The IUCN also found eight fish subspecies that are vulnerable.

When the IUCN looks at groups of fish within a species (called subpopulations), they found 18 groups that are vulnerable.

What Does 'Vulnerable' Mean?

For a fish species to be called "vulnerable," it means there's a high risk of it disappearing forever in the wild. The IUCN has special rules and information they use to decide this. Fish that are even more at risk are called endangered or critically endangered. All these groups (vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered) are together known as threatened species.

Sometimes, there isn't enough information about a fish species to figure out its status. These are called "data deficient." About 3,191 fish species (21% of those checked) are in this group. The IUCN thinks these species are probably also in danger, especially if they live in small areas or have small populations. They believe we should pay attention to these fish, just like threatened ones, until we know more.

This article lists some of the vulnerable fish species and subspecies. If a specific group (subpopulation) of a fish is vulnerable, that's mentioned too.

Lobe-finned Fishes

Lobe-finned fishes are a special group with fleshy, lobed fins.

• Indonesian coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis)

Cartilaginous Fishes

This group includes sharks, rays, skates, and sawfish. There are 121 species and eight subpopulations of these fish that are vulnerable.

Angelsharks

Angelsharks are flat-bodied sharks that look a bit like rays.

Mackerel Sharks

These are fast-swimming sharks, often found in open oceans. Species

Subpopulations

• Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) (2 subpopulations)

Rays and Skates

There are 74 species and one subpopulation of rays and skates that are vulnerable.

Rhynchobatids

These are also known as wedgefish, a type of ray.

Guitarfish Species

Guitarfish have bodies that look like a mix between a shark and a ray.

Whiptail Stingrays

These rays have long, whip-like tails.

Narcinids

These are electric rays that can produce an electric shock. Species

Subpopulations

• Apron ray (Discopyge tschudii) (1 subpopulation)

Skates

Skates are similar to rays but have a fleshy tail and no stinging spine.

Other Rajiformes Species

This includes various other types of rays.

Ground Sharks

These sharks usually live near the bottom of the ocean. Species

Subpopulations

Carpet Sharks

Carpet sharks often have patterns that help them blend in with the seabed.

Squaliformes

These are a group of sharks that include dogfish and gulper sharks. Species

Subpopulations

• Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) (2 subpopulations)

Chimaeras

Chimaeras are also called ghostsharks, with large eyes and long tails.

• Ogilby's ghostshark (Hydrolagus ogilbyi)

Lampreys

Lampreys are ancient, jawless fish that look like eels.

Ray-finned Fishes

This is the largest group of fish, with fins supported by bony rays. There are 1,114 species, eight subspecies, and four subpopulations of ray-finned fish assessed as vulnerable.

Acipenseriformes

This group includes sturgeons and paddlefishes, which are very old types of fish. Species

Subspecies

• Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)

Salmoniformes

This group includes salmon, trout, and their relatives. Species

Subpopulations

• Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) (3 subpopulations)

Silversides

Silversides are small, slender fish often found in coastal waters.

Toothcarps

There are 85 species and three subspecies of toothcarp assessed as vulnerable.

Goodeids

These are freshwater fish mostly found in Mexico.

Pupfish Species

Pupfish are small fish known for living in harsh environments like deserts.

Aplocheilids

This group includes some types of killifish.

• Pachypanchax arnoulti

Rivulids

These are often colorful, small freshwater fish.

Nothobranchiids

This family includes many types of killifish. Species

Subspecies

Poeciliids

This family includes popular aquarium fish like guppies and mollies.

Fundulids

These are often called topminnows or killifish.

Cypriniformes

This large group includes carps, minnows, and loaches. There are 298 species and one subspecies assessed as vulnerable.

Hillstream Loaches

These fish are adapted to live in fast-flowing rivers and streams.

True Loaches

True loaches are bottom-dwelling fish with barbels around their mouths.

Cyprinids

This is a very diverse family, including many types of carp and minnows. Species

Subspecies

• Incilevrek baligi (Phoxinellus zeregi fahirae)

Suckers

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

Gasterosteiformes

This group includes sticklebacks and their relatives, often known for their unique body shapes. Species

Subpopulations

• Little dragonfish (Eurypegasus draconis) (1 subpopulation)

Osmeriformes

This group includes freshwater smelts and similar fish.

Catfishes

There are 89 catfish species assessed as vulnerable. Catfish are known for their whisker-like barbels.

Ictalurids

These are North American freshwater catfish.

Sisorids

These are often called torrent catfish and live in fast-flowing waters.

Loach Catfishes

These catfish have bodies that resemble loaches.

Claroteids

These are a family of African freshwater catfish.

Airbreathing Catfishes

These catfish can breathe air, allowing them to survive out of water for a time.

Loricariids

Also known as armored catfish, they have bony plates on their bodies.

Mochokids

This family includes upside-down catfish and suckermouth catfish.

Bagrids

These are a family of Asian and African freshwater catfish.

Other Catfish Species

This category includes various other types of vulnerable catfish.

Batrachoidiformes

This group includes toadfish, known for their large heads and wide mouths.

Perciformes

This is a very large and diverse group of fish, including many familiar species. There are 405 species, one subspecies, and one subpopulation assessed as vulnerable.

Gouramis

Gouramis are freshwater fish often kept in aquariums.

Cichlids

Cichlids are a large family of freshwater fish, many of which are popular in aquariums. Species

Subspecies

• Sarotherodon galilaeus borkuanus

Percids

This family includes perches and darters.

Epinephelids

This group includes groupers, which are often large predatory fish. Species

Gobies

Gobies are typically small, bottom-dwelling fish.

Sparids

These are often called seabreams or porgies.

Sand Stargazers

These fish bury themselves in sand, with only their eyes and mouth showing.

Sciaenids

Also known as drums or croakers, they can make drumming sounds.

Labrisomids

These are small, often colorful, blenny-like fish.

Serranids

This family includes sea basses and groupers.

Chaenopsids

These are small, elongated blennies that often live in holes.

Combtooth Blennies

These blennies have comb-like teeth.

Wrasses

Wrasses are a large family of colorful marine fish.

Threefin Blennies

These small fish have three dorsal fins.

Other Perciformes Species

This section covers other vulnerable fish in the Perciformes order.

Beloniformes

This group includes needlefish, flying fish, and ricefish.

Synbranchiformes

This group includes swamp eels and spiny eels.

Osteoglossiformes

This group includes bony-tongued fish.

Mormyrids

These are African freshwater fish, often called elephantfish due to their trunk-like snout.

Gobiesociformes

This group includes clingfish, which have a suction cup on their underside.

Characiformes

This group includes piranhas, tetras, and other freshwater fish. Species

Subspecies

• Astyanax mexicanus jordani

Syngnathiformes

This group includes pipefishes and seahorses.

Clupeiformes

This group includes herrings, sardines, and anchovies. Species

Subspecies

• Clupeonella abrau muhlisi

Scorpaeniformes

This group includes sculpins and gurnards, often with spiny heads.

Ophidiiformes

This group includes cusk-eels and brotulas, many of which live in deep water or caves.

Tetraodontiformes

This group includes pufferfish, triggerfish, and ocean sunfish.

Other Ray-finned Fish Species

This section lists other vulnerable ray-finned fish not covered in the above categories.

Hagfishes

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

See also

• Lists of IUCN Red List vulnerable species
• List of least concern fishes
• List of near threatened fishes
• List of endangered fishes
• List of critically endangered fishes
• List of recently extinct fishes
• List of data deficient fishes
• Sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification