Fish

With a name that sounds like it belongs in a storybook, the tasselled wobbegong shark is one of the ocean’s most fascinating ambush predators.

By Nico Avelle

When you picture Belize — a Central American jewel hugged by the Caribbean Sea — your mind probably drifts to turquoise waters, coral reefs and epic scuba diving adventures.

By Nico Avelle

If the ocean had a drag race, the mako shark would leave the competition in its bubbly wake.

By Nico Avelle

When you think of Florida, you probably imagine sandy beaches, warm surf and maybe a dolphin or two gliding by. Or, you might be thinking about Florida shark attacks — which, while rare, tend to feed a few headlines every year.

By Zach Taras

If you’ve ever peered into a crevice while scuba diving and spotted something snakelike with a wide grin and sharp teeth, chances are you’ve encountered a moray eel.

By Nico Avelle

If you're into marine oddities, few animals capture the imagination quite like the hairy frogfish. This bizarre, underwater ambush predator may look like a ball of algae, but don't be fooled: It's a master of camouflage and a nightmare for unsuspecting prey.

By Nicole Antonio

The frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus), also known as the scaffold shark, is often called a "living fossil." This ancient shark has remained largely unchanged for millions of years, offering us a glimpse into the distant past. It's the only living species from its family of sharks.

By Mack Hayden

The barreleye fish (Macropinna microstoma) is known for its strange eyes and transparent dome for a head head — features that make it look more like a creature from science fiction than reality.

By Mack Hayden

The deep-sea dragonfish is one of the most mysterious and fearsome creatures lurking in the ocean's depths. Known as a top predator in the deep sea, this fish has evolved incredible adaptations to survive in underwater areas that have never known so much as a glimpse of sunlight.

By Mack Hayden

Fish may seem harmless compared to larger predators on land, but some of the deadliest animals are hiding in the oceans and rivers throughout the world. From venomous stings to sharp teeth, the most dangerous fish species can be lethal to humans.

By Mack Hayden

The stonefish might look like just another rock on the ocean floor, but don't let that fool you; it holds the title of the most venomous fish in the world. If you're not careful, a step on this camouflaged critter could lead to some serious consequences.

By Zach Taras

You've probably seen pufferfish on TV or at your local aquarium, puffing up like a balloon when they're startled. But there's way more to pufferfish than their signature defense mechanism. They're a diverse group of species with some truly unique traits.

By Zach Taras

Exploring the vast waters of our planet reveals some of the most awe-inspiring (or terrifying!) giants of the aquatic world. From the immense depths of the ocean to sprawling lakes and winding rivers, the largest fish represent the most enormous extant species in their habitats.

By Karina Ryan

Ever wondered what sharks might find in their waters besides fish? Turns out, some Brazilian sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) have been swimming in some rather strange seas - ones laced with cocaine.

By Desiree Bowie

As land-dwelling humans, the ocean can be both fascinating and a little (or a lot) frightening. It's therefore not all that surprising that an appearance of the large, strange-looking oarfish might make people anxious, especially in our social-media addled age.

By Zach Taras

Catfishing is more than a hobby—it's a quest for record-breaking giants in rivers and lakes, with the biggest catch becoming modern fishing folklore.

By Katherine Millar

While there are tons of fish in the sea, only a few hold the title of the fastest fish in the ocean. You might wonder how the fastest fish swim at such high speeds.

By Clarissa Mitton

The sheepshead fish is a curiosity to anglers and marine biologists alike. This unique species, found along the Atlantic coast of North America, has long received attention for its strange dental structure, resembling that of humans.

By Katherine Millar

In 2023, 11-year-old Charlie Clinton from Oklahoma made headlines by catching a pacu - a South American fish known for its human-like teeth - in a pond behind his house, far from its native Amazon habitat.

By Desiree Bowie

Sharks: They are the stuff of legend and the stuff of nightmares. But which are the biggest? Here are the top 10.

By Carrie Tatro

Unlike most species on Earth, the male seahorse, rather than the female, does the gestating and delivery. And he does it in his own unique way, a new study found.

By Jesslyn Shields

It's hard to imagine Nemo catching some z's in the Great Barrier Reef. But fish do need rest. Do they sleep like we do?

By Allison Troutner & Mack Hayden

The elusive hagfish is a master at hiding in holes and crevices, but its main defense is its ability to release a noxious, suffocating and sometimes poisonous slime when attacked.

By Mark Mancini

Porbeagles are related to great whites, but while they're also athletic killers, they're smaller and far less ferocious. And what's with the funny dog name?

By Mark Mancini

Decades before Discovery started its wildly successful Shark Week, Americans were transfixed by stories of shark-infested waters.

By Janet M. Davis