When it comes to the world of fish there are over 32,000 different species that are currently known with more being discovered each and everyday. This article takes a look at the 5 most unique fish in the world and what makes these creatures so different from the rest of the fish species. That might be a unique vibrant color or even a special ability. With this in mind there certainly are a plethora of fish out there that are worth taking a further look at. Lets dive right in and take a look.
1. Boxfish
The Boxfish is a very small fish ranging in size anywhere from 3 – 18 inches. Although they look very similar to that of a Puffer fish they are actually more closely related to that of a Cowfish or Trunkfish. The Boxfish is unique in the fact that its color is almost unrecognizable to any other fish out there. They come in colors such as yellow, orange, and brown with contrasting spots. Their incredible bright bodies with contrasting spots has led to this fish having such a unique appearance. These fish inhabit many areas throughout the Pacific Ocean in the wild but can also be purchased at many fish stores. If the color alone wasn’t unique enough the Boxfish can also secret poison from their skin as a defense mechanism to keep predators away. The combination of a vibrant color pattern along with secreting poison makes this fish one of a kind.
2. Flying Fish
Another type of fish that you are probably more familiar with is the Flying Fish. This fish doesn’t sport any unique patterns or colors but is able to do something that very few fish are able to do. They are able to propel themselves out of the water with great velocity. They are able to take off up to 36 mph and shoot themselves out of the water. The Flying Fish is able to do this because over time it has evolved to have larger more aerodynamic pectoral fins that give it the perfect ability to fly out of the water for extended periods of time. These larger pectoral fins allow the Flying fish to catch the air under its fins leading to the elusion that the fish is flying. The Flying Fish use this unique ability in order to escape from predators that are trying to chase them. The longest ever recorded time of a Flying Fish in flight was 45 seconds and covered roughly 160 feet. This shows just how powerful and unique these fish are.
3. Northern Stargazer
This unique fish lives most of its life under the sediment of the sea floor. It has an average size of between 8 to 18 inches in length and loves to live at the bottom of wide open areas of the ocean floor. When it comes to the diet of the Northern Stargazer, they love to feed on small fish and crustaceans which dwell on the bottom of the ocean. What is so unique about this fish is that it has the ability to bury itself in the sand with just its mouth and eyes sticking out. This allows them to search for prey without being seen. The Northern Stargazer has the ability to use its large mouth to create a vacuum and suck its prey straight into its mouth. If the ability to dig and hunt prey from the ground isn’t unique enough the Stargazer also has an organ on its head that allows it to deliver an electrical shock that can stun its prey before sucking in its prey. The ability to dig and hide in the sea floor along with giving off an electrical shock certainly makes this one unique fish.
4. Yellowhead Jawfish
This little fish only measures roughly 10-12cm in length and has a blue and white body with a yellow head as per its name. This fish spends a lot of its time in the sand as it likes to dig holes in the sand for protection. When a Yellowheaded Jawfish feels threatened or scared it finds protection in hiding out in the burrows that it digs in the sand. This fish spends a lot of its time stationary hiding out in its burrow for safety and is not seen swimming that often. Along with this, the Yellowheaded Jawfish is also able to swim backwards when attempting to hide in its burrow for safety. With all of that aside the Yellowhead Jawfish has the unique ability to collect its eggs into its wide mouth. The male holds these eggs in its mouth for protection and carries them until they are ready to hatch. During this time the male is unable to feed or eat. This can often cause a lot of stress to the fish. After the young hatch the male will then need to recuperate from not being able to eat. Overall, the ability of this fish to dig and hide in holes along with a large mouth in which it carries its eggs makes this one unique fish.
5. Leafy Sea Dragon
Leafy Sea Dragons are closely related to that of Seahorses and Pipefish and are unique in the way they camouflage themselves within their environment. These fish are only found around Australia and come in many different varieties of browns and yellows. What truly makes these fish unique is there leafy appendages that help the Leafy Sea Dragon to blend in with its surrounding and makes the fish nearly impossible to spot will near surrounding plants. The leafy Sea Dragon barely moves and is often seen floating along with the current of the ocean due to its lack of fins. Like most Seahorses the male Leafy Sea Dragon is in charge of the eggs and can attach them to the back of its tail and eventually releases the baby Leafy Sea Dragons into the ocean after around 5 weeks of care. Unfortunately, due to mass amounts of harvesting of the Leafy Sea Dragon for pets and the rising pollution with the ocean this species is almost extinct.
