The aquatic life of the world is nothing short of spectacular. In the waters of the Blue Planet, there are more than 30,000 different species of fish, ranging in size from the largest and most ferocious to the smallest and most deadly.
Of course, while the vast majority of the species on the planet are harmless and would welcome the opportunity to swim alongside you, there are some dangerous ones – some of which are even cute-looking – that will do nothing but harm to you as soon as you come into contact with them.
If you want to make sure you’re safe and aware of your surroundings the next time you go swimming, here are the top five most dangerous fish in the world to watch out for.
Electric Eel
The Electric Eel is a long and scaleless species of fish that is probably one of the most well-known in the world, thanks to the numerous appearances in films and television shows that feature them. They can grow up to nine feet in length and weigh approximately 48.5 pounds when fully grown.
In its natural habitat, the Electric Eel is a sluggish type of fish that can usually be found in slow-moving freshwater while searching for prey. It can also be seen occasionally emerging from the water to get some fresh air. Because of the large number of blood vessels present in its mouth, this fish can use it for both swallowing its prey and breathing, acting as if it were a lung for them.
The tail is the region of the body that is responsible for the electric discharge. These are the electric organs, as they are known in the scientific community. They originate from muscle tissues that are innervated by the fish’s spinal nerves. A single charge of the Electric Eel can produce a current of between 300 and 650 volts, which is sufficient to cause you to feel shocked.
Holding an Electric Eel is not recommended – if you want to photograph it, you should put on your best fishing gloves that provide the necessary protection to handle such a fish, and keep it as far away from you as possible because they are known to struggle when they find themselves captured in a photograph.
Tiger Fish
This species of fish is typically found in Africa, specifically in Lake Tanganyika and the Congo River. The Tigerfish, as its name suggests, has razor-sharp teeth on both of its jaws, making it a highly effective predator, hunter, and fighter – just in case some other fish decide to have a brawl and choose the wrong guy, we mean fish.
The Tiger Fish is already quite large, but there is another species of Tigerfish known as the Goliath Tigerfish that is the largest of all. One of these Goliaths is said to weigh up to 154 pounds, and another is even bigger. We stated that it is large on its own because a single Tiger Fish would be sufficient to hunt down their prey on its own. They hunt and attack in packs, however, and their primary prey consists of large animals.
You can be sure that its friends are very close by and waiting for the right moment to catch and devour their prey if you happen to come across one of these creatures.
Moray Eel
The Moray Eel is quite different from the ordinary eel that most of you are familiar with – simply because the Electric Eel is the one that is most frequently displayed and demonstrated. While this eel does not have the ability to electrocute you, it is equipped in a different way that can cause significant damage.
They have a thick layer of skin that is also very smooth and free of scales. The mouth, which is where all of the action takes place, is quite large and equipped with extremely strong, razor-sharp teeth. This means that the Moray Eel is capable of holding onto its prey after biting it, and it is also capable of causing some damage if your leg is the target of its attack. When they are disturbed, they have been known to become quite vicious.
Wearing only fishing shorts in waters known to be home to Moray Eels is clearly not a good idea – especially if you happen to come into contact with one of them by accident. Although most Moray Eels are around five feet in length, one species, Thyrsoidea macrurus, can grow up to 11.5 feet in length – making it easy to spot one when diving underwater. Moray Eels are found in a variety of habitats, including freshwater and saltwater.
Stonefish
This venomous fish can be found in the tropical Indo-Pacific, mostly in shallow waters, and it is a dangerous predator. In accordance with its name, this species of fish lives on the ocean floor among coral and rocks as well as mud to ensure that it is completely hidden from predators.
The Stonefish has a large head and mouth, bumpy skin that is covered by lumps that look like warts, and small eyes, all of which distinguish it from other fish. Almost as still as a stone, these fish make little movement and do everything they can to blend into the environment in which they live.
The fact that they are extremely venomous makes them a danger to divers. They are easily stepped on because of their appearance, and when this occurs, the Stonefish will inject venom through the grooves on its dorsal fin spines, causing the victim to die.
Stepping on such a fish will result in excruciating pain – and, in the worst-case scenario, could result in death. In order to avoid this, it is preferable to place your foot on plain sand rather than on any rock that you might come across on the bottom of any shallow waters that you might swim in.
Pufferfish
The Pufferfish is a small sea creature that is both adorable and adorable. Its capabilities – as well as the possibilities for utilizing them – are quite intriguing, to say the least.
They are also referred to as blowfish or swellfish, and this is due to the fact that they have the unique ability to inflate themselves for obvious reasons. They transition from their regular fish form to a globular form in this manner – but they still have more to show for their efforts. Their skin is prickly, and when the Pufferfish is inflated, these pricks stand out, ready to sting anyone who comes into contact with it.
A beak-shaped shape is formed when the teeth are fused together, giving the bird its name. The majority of the fish in this species are quite small, but there have been reports of some that have grown to be three feet in length.
While the Puffer’s prickly bubble of a fish may not appear to be particularly dangerous on the surface, the true danger lies within. Their internal organs are poisonous, as they contain a venomous substance known as tetrodotoxin, which is toxic to humans. If ingested, it has the potential to be fatal.
However, in Japan, where this species is referred to as fugu, it is considered a delicacy – but it must be prepared in a specific manner, and only chefs who have received government certification are permitted to prepare this fish. Chefs who wish to prepare fugu must also pass a number of tests before being permitted to work in a restaurant. If the fugu is not prepared properly, it is very likely that the eater will die as a result of the consumption of the dish.