Fish

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 goes beyond just a leisure activity. For many, it's a pursuit of record-breaking giants that lurk in the depths of rivers and lakes. The biggest catfish ever caught has become a tale of modern-day fishing folklore, sparking slogans like: "Happiness is a big catfish and a witness."

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

The showy lionfish is a stunning beauty. But this invasive species, which was released into the wild in the 1980s, is wreaking havoc on delicate reef ecosystems worldwide.

By Wendy Bowman

The lemon shark isn't as aggressive as some other sharks and it isn't quite as yellow as its name suggests.

By Katie Carman

This denizen of the frigid deep not only lives a crazy long life, it also can grow up to 24 feet in length and eating its flesh can make humans "shark drunk."

By Katie Carman

Most species of the rarely seen anglerfish live up to a mile beneath the ocean, where the females lure prey with a head-dangling hook appendage and permanently fuse with male suitors. It doesn't get much stranger than that.

By Katie Carman & Talon Homer

The swordfish's nose might look crazy weird, but these gladiators of the sea are perfectly outfitted for ocean battle.

By Jesslyn Shields

The snakehead fish can breathe air, double its population in 15 months and has a huge appetite, which is not a good thing for native species.

By Jesslyn Shields

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, the colorful little fish with the craaaaazy long name, is Hawaii's state fish, but it wasn't always.

By Jesslyn Shields

Piranhas are some of the most feared fish in the world, but is their reputation for ferocity a bit overblown?

By Jesslyn Shields & Zach Taras

They're swimming in water all day so how could they ever get thirsty? The answer might surprise you.

By Nathan Chandler