The Top 10 Most Dangerous Fish In The World — Have you ever wondered about the biodiversity and species that live beneath the water? While some water species are magnificent and enticing, there is a darker veil of terrifying and venomous species. And today we are dealing with the world’s most dangerous fish.
From razor-sharp teeth to highly poisonous venom, and from the ability to injure victims to killing them with a high electric charge, these species can knock even a human down.
Quick Overview
| S.N | Names |
| 10. | Puffer |
| 9. | Candiru |
| 8. | Red Lionfish |
| 7. | Moray Eel |
| 6. | Tiger Fish |
| 5. | Great White Shark |
| 4. | Stingray |
| 3. | Piranha |
| 2. | Stone Fish |
| 1. | Electric Eel |
Most Dangerous Fish in the World
This list of the most dangerous fish in the world is based on Britannica, and Oysterdiving.
10. Puffer
Puffer, also known as Swellfish or Blowfish, ranks tenth on our list of the most dangerous fish. They are members of the Tetraodontidae family and can be found in tropical marine water. They can, however, be found in freshwater.
These species have slow locomotive movements and thus rely on natural defense. They also inflate themselves with air and water when disturbed or threatened. Because of the spikes on their outer skin, they are extremely tough and have strong survival instincts.
Likewise, they are generally smaller in size, but some can grow about 90 cm long.
Most of the species belonging to the Tetraodontidae family are toxic because of the concentrated tetrodotoxin in their internal organs like the liver, intestine, etc.
The very fact makes them toxic to consume. Nonetheless, they are consumed in Japan, China, and Korea.
Besides, Tetrodotoxin can affect the brain resulting in weakness, paralysis, and even death in some extreme cases.
9. Candiru
Have you ever heard of Candiru? Well, if you haven’t, get ready to know one of the dangerous fish lurking below the waterline.
Candiru, also known as Toothpick Fish, Vampire Fish, or scientifically Vandellia cirrhosa, belongs to the Trichomycteridae family.
This parasitic freshwater catfish is scaleless that feeds on blood. Therefore it is found in the gill cavities of other fishes.
Moreover, they grow about 2.5 cm in length and are native to the Amazon basin. It is most commonly found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Generally, they are not dangerous to humans, but sometimes they can enter the human body through the urethras.
After the fish enters through the urethra, it erects the short spines on its gill covers which causes inflammation, hemorrhage, and sometimes even death of the victim.
Additionally, parasitic fish like Candiru are often attracted to human urine, so make sure you never pee while swimming in the Amazon river.
8. Red Lionfish
Native to the South Pacific Reef ecosystem, Red Lionfishes are one of the dangerous fish that belongs to the Scorpaenidae family.
Red Lionfish have an elegant, bold zebra-like pattern which gives them another name Zebrafish. Although the species possess remarkable beauty but are extremely dangerous because of their venomous fin spines.
When the fish is disturbed, it spreads its fin; however, it may further attack with its dorsal spine if felt extremely threatened.
If attacked with the venomous spine, they can puncture wounds that are not fatal but extremely painful.
These species with enlarged pectoral fins and elongated dorsal fin spines can grow as large as 47 cm.
Additionally, the camouflage and quick reflexes help these species to prey upon other small fish and shrimp.
It can live for about 10 years and have a high reproduction rate, and are quite responsible for the decimation of the local species.
7. Moray Eel
Belonging to the family of eel, these Muraenida eels are found in almost 200 different species.
They are mostly found in marine water; however, they also occur in brackish and freshwater.
Similarly, they are widely found in Egypt, Belize, and Mexico.
They are native to tropical and subtropical seas and live in shallow water among reefs and rocks.
Unlike other eels, they have small rounded gill openings, and they generally don’t have pectoral fins.
Their scaleless skin makes them smooth in appearance, and they have a wide mouth and strong teeth, which enables them to hold a tight grip on prey.
They are generally not harmful; however, if disturbed or threatened can cause severe wounds which are painful and, if not treated in time, can cause secondary infections like Septicemia, a serious bloodstream infection, anaphylaxis, etc.
They are vividly colorful, and the color differs from black, gray, brown, yellow, etc.
Although they are generally small in size, they can grow as large as 3.5 meters in length.
Morays, though, are sometimes enjoyed in some parts of the world.
Furthermore, they were cultivated in seaside ponds and consumed in ancient Rome.
If eaten, the toxic flesh can cause severe illness and even cause a person’s death.
6. Tiger Fish
Tigerfish are named after their violent and aggressive behavior and predaceous habits with a heavily built body.
These African varieties are silvery with thin horizontal black stripes and have an elongated body with a large head.
They are dangerous species of fish having razor-like sharp and large teeth that can easily strip any of their prey within few minutes.
Their dagger-like teeth mixed with their voracious and violent temperament can cause severe wounds to humans and sometimes even cause death.
There are five species of Tigerfish, among which the largest is Hydrocynus Goliath, which can grow as large as 1.8 meters long, and the smallest is H. vittatus which is also considered the finest game fish.
5. Great White Shark
Here is the fish that needs no introduction of its powerful potential and deadly nature.
Also known as the white pointer, the White Shark belongs to species of large Mackerel Sharks.
The modern one has dominated the marine area for roughly 18–12 million years from the Miocene Epoch. There is very little information regarding their life and behavior because of the common fear about them.
These dangerous fish can attack even when unprovoked, and therefore swimmers, divers, surfers, kayakers are at constant risk of it.
They don’t usually prey on humans but attack as soon as they feel threatened. Moreover, they usually attack with a single bite and retreat; however, they rarely go for a second bite.
If the bite is moderate and taken remedy quickly, it can be healed; however, a large bite can be fatal and can result in serious tissue or organ injury.
4. Stingray
Next on our list of dangerous fish is Stingrays or Myliobatoidei, a group of sea rays. Stingrays are commonly found in coastal tropical and subtropical marine water.
However, some of the species occur in temperate and deep oceans.
Moreover, there are a total of 220 species of stingrays which are arranged under 10 families and 29 genera.
What makes them dangerous fish is the venom present in their spines on the dorsum of the tail.
Stingray is not usually dangerous until provoked or threatened; however, they attack by thrusting their tail into leg or foot when one steps on them.
Their stings cause intense pain, nausea, swelling, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, or fainting, and in an occasional case, the victim may die.
Although it causes severe pain, they are not life-threatening until attacked upon vital organs. So if you ever happen to see these dangerous fish, you better stay far from them.
Moreover, Stingrays are among the vulnerable species on the verge of extinction, and IUCN has listed 45 species of Stingrays as endangered.
Generally, they are smaller in size, but the southern Stingrays are larger in comparison and can grow up to 5 feet wide. Their larger size consequently contributes to a long tail.
3. Piranha
Holding 3rth position on our list of most dangerous fish is Piranha or Caribe or Piraya. Piranhas can grow up to 60 cm long and are silvery orange or black in color.
These fish with deep bodies, saw-edged bellies, and large heads are native to South American rivers and lakes. The Amazon river consists of 20 different species of Piranha.
What makes them dangerous is their sharp razor-like teeth and their ferocious nature.
Moreover, they apply force equivalent to 20-30 times their own body weight while cutting.
Piranha can crush large animals within a minute, and they can shred human bodies into several small pieces within less than one minute.
2. Stonefish
Stonefish are among the most dangerous fish in the world. It falls under the genus Synanceja and the family Synancejidae.
This venomous and sluggish species dwell in tropical Indo-Pacific regions. Stonefish live among corals and stones, which makes it difficult to separate from stones.
They have large heads, small eyes, and bumpy skinks, which make them appear like stone. They occur in shallow water and the bottom of the sea.
If one steps on the fish, it injects venom that produces excruciating wounds and sometimes can cause the victim’s death. They inject venom through grooves in their dorsal-fin spines.
1. Electric Eel
Water and electricity are the deadliest combinations. The charged ions and impurities present in water make it a good conductor.
Now, imagine a fish that can produce an electrical charge of up to 600 volts. This is the very reason to position Electric eel on top of our list of most dangerous fish in the world.
They usually produce an electric shock to seize their prey.
The Electric Eel is a long, cylindrical, elongated, scaleless, gray-brown fish commonly found in the freshwater of South America.
They can grow 2.75 meters long and can weigh about 22 kg.
In fact, the Electric Eel is not a true eel but a Characin fish.
Interestingly, its mouth serves as lungs as its mouth contains a large number of blood vessels.
The Electric Eel uses electricity to defend itself from enemies and catch prey generating volts that compels its hidden prey to change their position.
The electricity thus generated knocks out or even kills its prey.
Its tail contains the electric organ of muscle tissue enervated by spinal nerves, which produce electricity.
An Electric Eel discharges an electric charge of 300–650 volts. Such powerful jolts can easily injure a person for a long time that might cause the drowning of the victim.
Furthermore, multiple shocks can severely damage the heart causing heart failure and difficulties in breathing, leading to the death of a person.
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