List of largest fish: Difference between revisions

:The title of the largest member of this order, the most numerous order of all vertebrates, is a matter of some debate. A large [[marlin]] is the biggest of these fishes: the [[black marlin]] (''Makaira indica'') of the Indo-Pacific, the [[Atlantic blue marlin]] (''Makaira nigricans'') and the [[Indo-Pacific blue marlin]] (''Makaira mazara''). All of these similarly sized species can exceptionally reach up to {{convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and weight may be as much as {{convert|907|kg|lb|abbr=on}} or even {{convert|1,106|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Paxton/><ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=218 Makaira mazara, Indo-Pacific blue marlin: fisheries, gamefish]. FishBase.org</ref><ref>[http://www.marlinmag.com/species/fish-species/biggest-fish-i-ever-saw The Biggest Fish I Ever Saw] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110153316/http://www.marlinmag.com/species/fish-species/biggest-fish-i-ever-saw |date=2013-11-10 }}. Marlin Magazine (2007-03-27)</ref> Another notable giant of the perch order is the [[Atlantic bluefin tuna]] (''Thunnus thynnus'') of the Northern Atlantic ocean, which has been verified at up to {{convert|4.4|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|679|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, although can reportedly reach {{convert|910|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Burnie">Burnie D and Wilson DE (Eds.), ''Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife''. DK Adult (2005), {{ISBN|0789477645}}</ref><ref>James R. Chambers. [http://www.bigmarinefish.com/photos_bluefin_tuna_pg4.html Largest Bluefin Tuna – All-Tackle IGFA World Record]. Bigmarinefish.com (2010-05-24)</ref> The [[swordfish]] (''Xiphias gladius'') can reach a maximum weight of {{convert|650|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and length of {{convert|4.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=226 Xiphias gladius, Swordfish: fisheries, gamefish]. FishBase.org</ref> Due to heavy fishing of both species, swordfish and tuna of great sizes are increasingly rare. One of the largest freshwater fishes is the [[Nile perch]] (''Lates niloticus''), which grows up to {{convert|200|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=347 Lates niloticus, Nile perch: fisheries, aquaculture, gamefish]. FishBase.org</ref> The biggest of [[Lutjanidae|snappers]] is the [[Cubera snapper]] (''Lutjanus cyanopterus'') of the Caribbean sea and east coast of South America, at a maximum size of {{convert|57|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19991010151546/http://www.fishsanibel.com/fish/lutjanidae.htm Lee County Fishing Guides in One Place! Find Them All Here!] Fishsanibel.com</ref><ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Lutjanus&speciesname=cyanopterus Lutjanus cyanopterus, Cubera snapper: fisheries, gamefish]. FishBase.org</ref> The largest species of [[Haemulidae|grunt]] is the white margate (''Haemulon album'') of the Caribbean sea and east coast of South America, at up to {{convert|7.14|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|0.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=1126 Haemulon album, White margate: fisheries, gamefish, aquarium]. FishBase.org</ref><ref>[http://www.theoutdoorlodge.com/fishing/species/grunts.html Grunts, Fish Species – Your Fish Identification and Fishing Field Guide]. Theoutdoorlodge.com</ref> The [[Blenniidae|blennies]] can range up to {{convert|0.55|m|ft|abbr=on}} in the hairtail blenny (''[[Xiphasia setifer]]'') of the Indo-Pacific.<ref name= Paxton/> The [[Carangidae|jacks or mackerels]] reach their maximum size in the [[Chinese seerfish]] (''Scomberomorus sinensis''), which can attain {{convert|131|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2.47|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/Scomberomorus-sinensis.html]. FishBase.org</ref> The largest [[Chaetodontidae|butterflyfish]] are either the [[lined butterflyfish]] (''Chaetodon lineolatus'') or the [[saddle butterflyfish]] (''C. ephippium''), both of the Indo-Pacific and both of which can measure up to {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=5562 Chaetodon ephippium, Saddle butterflyfish: fisheries, aquarium]. FishBase.org</ref> The [[freckled darter]] (''Percina lenticula'') of the United States, the biggest of the [[Percidae|darters]], reaching {{convert|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|70|g|oz|abbr=on}}.<ref>Freeman, B. J. and Wenger, S. J. [http://www.etowahhcp.org/background/documents/species_descriptions.pdf Description and Distribution of Species Covered by the Etowah HCP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110142434/http://www.etowahhcp.org/background/documents/species_descriptions.pdf |date=2013-11-10 }}. UGA River Basin Center, November, 2006</ref><ref>Craig, John, ''Percid Fishes: Systematics, Ecology and Exploitation (Fish and Aquatic Resources)''. Wiley-Blackwell (2000), {{ISBN|978-0-632-05616-3}}</ref> The largest [[Sciaenidae|drum]] is the [[Totoaba]] (''Totoaba macdonaldi'') of the Gulf of California, at up to {{convert|100|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} long.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=6317 Totoaba macdonaldi, Totoaba: fisheries, gamefish]. FishBase.org</ref> Among the [[Serranidae|sea bass or groupers]], many of which can grow quite large, the greatest size are reached in the [[Atlantic goliath grouper]] (''Epinephelus itajara'') and the [[giant grouper]] (''Epinephelus lanceolatus''). Both can reach a maximum known length of {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} and weight of {{convert|455|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|600|kg|lb|abbr=on}} respectively.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=16 Epinephelus itajara, Goliath grouper: fisheries, gamefish]. FishBase.org</ref><ref>http://www.mesa.edu.au/AtoZ/giant_grouper.asp A to Z of Oz Marine Life</ref> The species-rich [[cichlids]] reach their maximum size in the [[East Africa]]n [[giant cichlid]] (''Boulengerochromis microlepis''), at up to {{convert|0.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3733 The 10 biggest cichlids] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110140903/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3733 |date=2013-11-10 }}. Practical Fishkeeping</ref> The [[humphead wrasse]] (''Cheilinus undulatus'') of the Indo-Pacific's coral reefs is by far the largest [[Labridae|wrasse]], and it can reach a maximum size of {{convert|191|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.arkive.org/humphead-wrasse/cheilinus-undulatus/#text=Facts Humphead wrasse videos, photos and facts – Cheilinus undulatus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110142108/http://www.arkive.org/humphead-wrasse/cheilinus-undulatus/#text=Facts |date=2013-11-10 }}. ARKive</ref> Among a fairly small-bodied family, the [[Pomacentridae|damselfishes]], the [[Garibaldi (fish)|Garibaldi]] (''Hypsypops rubicundus'') of the Pacific coast of America is the biggest, reaching up to {{convert|35.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1.2|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/fall02%20projects/garbaldi.htm The Biogeography of the Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331224429/http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/fall02%20projects/garbaldi.htm |date=2012-03-31 }}. Bss.sfsu.edu</ref> The [[Oxyeleotris marmorata|marbled sleeper]] (''Oxyeleotris marmorata'') of East Asia is the largest member of the family or sub-order that almost certain contains the smallest living vertebrate, and can reach {{convert|0.66|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and weigh {{convert|9.9|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name= Paxton/><ref>[http://www.fishing-worldrecords.com/perches/Oxyeleotris%20marmorata.html Oxyeleotris marmorata] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122024627/http://www.fishing-worldrecords.com/perches/Oxyeleotris%20marmorata.html |date=2011-11-22 }}. Fishing-worldrecords.com</ref>

:Most authorities now give the crown of the largest [[catfish]] to the [[Mekong giant catfish]], ''Pangasianodon gigas'', which is also considered the heaviest completely freshwater fish.<ref name = "Wood"/> This fish has been recorded at sizes up to {{convert|350|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/0629_050629_giantcatfish.html Grizzly Bear-Size Catfish Caught in Thailand]. National Geographic News (2005-06-29)</ref><ref name="msnbc">[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8404622 Fish whopper: 646 pounds a freshwater record]. NBC News (2005-07-01)</ref><ref name="iht">Seth Mydans. [http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2005/08/24/news/fish.php Hunt for the big fish becomes a race] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501184151/http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=%2Farticles%2F2005%2F08%2F24%2Fnews%2Ffish.php |date=2009-05-01 }}. International Herald Tribune (2005-08-25)</ref><ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=6192 Pangasianodon gigas, Mekong giant catfish: fisheries, aquaculture]. FishBase.org</ref> The closely-related Asian [[giant pangasius]] (''Pangasius sanitwongsei'') can grow to {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|300|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Pangasius&speciesname=sanitwongsei Pangasius sanitwongsei, Giant pangasius: fisheries, aquaculture, aquarium]. FishBase.org</ref> Another large species is the [[wels catfish]] (''Silurus glanis'') of Europe and Central Asia, which strongly rivals the proceeding species in weight and could possibly surpass them in length. While wels have been confirmed to {{convert|3.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}, other whiskered giants have been reliably reported to grow to {{convert|3.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|265|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and less reliably to {{convert|4.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name = "Wood"/> In South America there also exists the ''[[Brachyplatystoma filamentosum]]'', which can reportedly reach up to {{convert|3.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|200|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Brachyplatystoma&speciesname=filamentosum Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, Kumakuma: fisheries, gamefish]. FishBase.org</ref>