71+ Loveliest Fish Names that Start with L [ Fish Names ]
Fishing is a popular and enjoyable hobby, and one of the exciting aspects of fishing is identifying different fish species. If you’re an avid angler or just starting out, you may have come across several fish names beginning with the letter “L.” In this guide, we’ll explore 85 fish names that start with L, providing descriptions and interesting facts about each species.
1. Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass is a freshwater fish commonly found in North America, known for its large mouth that extends beyond its eye. They thrive in lakes, rivers, and ponds and are popular game fish due to their aggressive nature and size.
Fascinating fact: Largemouth bass can grow to over 20 pounds in weight, and the world record is a whopping 22 pounds and 5 ounces!
2. Lake Trout
Lake trout are cold-water fish found in North America’s Great Lakes region, as well as other lakes and rivers across the continent. They have a dark green or grey coloration, with large spots on their back and fins.
Fascinating fact: Lake trout can live for over 25 years and can reach lengths of up to 3 feet!
3. Lemon Shark
The lemon shark is a species of shark found in tropical waters around the world. They are named after their yellowish-brown coloration, resembling that of a lemon. These sharks are known for their aggressive nature and can grow to over 11 feet in length.
Fascinating fact: Lemon sharks have a unique hunting tactic – they bump into their prey before biting, making them one of the few shark species that don’t rely solely on their sense of smell to hunt.
4. Lingcod
Lingcods are bottom-dwelling fish found in the North Pacific Ocean, ranging from Alaska to California. They have a large mouth with sharp teeth and can grow up to 5 feet in length.
Fascinating fact: Lingcods are voracious predators, feeding on a variety of marine animals such as octopuses, crabs, and other fish.
5. Largemouth Flounder
Largemouth flounders, also known as American plaice, are flatfish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Canada to North Carolina. They have a brownish coloration and can grow up to 2 feet in length.
Fascinating fact: Largemouth flounders are masters of camouflage – they can change their coloration and markings to blend in with their surroundings, making them excellent ambush predators.
6. Lined Sole
Lined soles are a type of flatfish found in the North Pacific Ocean, ranging from Alaska to California. They have an elongated body and can grow up to 1 foot in length.
Fascinating fact: Lined soles rely on their exceptional sense of smell to find their prey buried in the sand. They have small, primitive eyes and rely primarily on other senses for survival.
7. Largemouth Triplefin
The largemouth triplefin is a small fish found in rocky areas of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to California. They have three dorsal fins and can grow up to 3 inches in length.
Fascinating fact: Largemouth triplefins are known for their unique courtship behavior – the males build nests on rocks and attract females by “dancing” around the nest.
8. Longnose Gar
The longnose gar is a primitive fish found in freshwater bodies across North America. They have an elongated body, with a long snout filled with sharp teeth.
Fascinating fact: Longnose gars are one of the oldest surviving fish species, with fossils dating back over 100 million years!
9. Lined Seahorse
Lined seahorses are small marine fish found in tropical waters around the world. They have a unique appearance, with a curled tail and bony plates covering their body.
Fascinating fact: Unlike most fish, seahorses have a fixed territory and mate for life. They are also one of the few species where the male carries and gives birth to their young!
10. Lionfish
Lionfishes are venomous marine fish found in tropical waters around the world. They have striking red, brown, and white stripes, making them popular in aquariums.
Fascinating fact: Lionfishes are invasive species and do not have natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean. Their venomous spines make them a threat to native fish populations.
11. Longfin Tuna
Longfin tunas are large, fast-swimming fish found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. They have elongated pectoral fins and can grow up to 6 feet in length.
Fascinating fact: Longfin tunas are known for their incredible swimming speed – they can reach speeds of over 40 miles per hour, making them one of the fastest fish in the ocean!
12. Lake Chub
The lake chub is a small freshwater fish found in lakes and streams across North America. They have a deep, compressed body with a dark brown or olive coloration.
Fascinating fact: Lake chubs are important food sources for larger fish such as trout and bass. They also play a vital role in controlling aquatic insect populations.
13. Lined Sole
Lined soles are a type of flatfish found in the North Pacific Ocean, ranging from Alaska to California. They have an elongated body and can grow up to 1 foot in length.
Fascinating fact: Lined soles rely on their exceptional sense of smell to find their prey buried in the sand. They have small, primitive eyes and rely primarily on other senses for survival.
14. Lined Sole
Lined soles are a type of flatfish found in the North Pacific Ocean, ranging from Alaska to California. They have an elongated body and can grow up to 1 foot in length.
Fascinating fact: Lined soles rely on their exceptional sense of smell to find their prey buried in the sand. They have small, primitive eyes and rely primarily on other senses for survival.
15. Lined Sole
Lined soles are a type of flatfish found in the North Pacific Ocean, ranging from Alaska to California. They have an elongated body and can grow up to 1 foot in length.
Fascinating fact: Lined soles rely on their exceptional sense of smell to find their prey buried in the sand. They have small, primitive eyes and rely primarily on other senses for survival.
16. Longnose Hawkfish
The longnose hawkfish is a colorful marine fish found in tropical waters around the world. They have red, white, or black markings on their body and can grow up to 8 inches in length.
Fascinating fact: Longnose hawkfishes have a unique hunting behavior – they perch on coral or rocky surfaces and ambush their prey, similar to how a bird of prey would hunt.
17. Lantern Fish
Lantern fishes are small, deep-sea fish found in oceans around the world. They have bioluminescent organs along their body, which they use to attract prey and communicate with other lantern fishes.
Fascinating fact: Lantern fishes are one of the most abundant fish species in the deep sea, making up over half of the biomass in some areas. They also play a vital role in carbon cycling in the ocean.
18. Largemouth Bass
Largemouth basses are freshwater fish found in lakes and rivers across North America. They have a greenish-gray body with a large mouth, hence their name.
Fascinating fact: Largemouth basses are popular game fish, known for their fighting ability and delicious taste. They can also live up to 16 years in the wild!
19. Lemon Shark
Lemon sharks are large, powerful predators found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They have a yellowish-brown coloration, hence their name.
Fascinating fact: Lemon sharks are one of the few shark species that can survive in freshwater, making them able to travel up rivers and into estuaries. They also have a unique hunting behavior – they use their electroreceptors to detect prey buried in the sand.
20. Lunate Grouper
The lunate grouper, also known as the crescent-tail grouper, is a reef fish found in the Indo-Pacific region. They have a deep body with blue and yellow markings on their fins and can grow up to 2 feet in length.
Fascinating fact: Lunate groupers have a complex social structure and can change colors to communicate with other groupers. They are also known for their impressive courtship displays.
21. Lake Trout
Lake trout, also known as Mackinaw trout, are freshwater fish found in lakes across North America. They have a dark green or gray body with white spots and can grow up to 4 feet in length.
Fascinating fact: Lake trout are known for their long-distance migrations – they can travel up to 100 miles in search of food. They are also an important species for recreational fishing and have been successfully introduced into non-native habitats, such as the Great Lakes.
22. Lizardfish
Lizardfishes are a family of marine fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They have elongated bodies with sharp teeth and can grow up to 3 feet in length.
Fascinating fact: Lizardfishes are voracious predators, often lying in wait for their prey buried in the sand. Some species also use bioluminescent lures to attract prey.
23. Largemouth Blenny
The largemouth blenny, also known as the yellowmask blenny, is a small fish found in coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They have a bright yellow head and can grow up to 2 inches in length.
Fascinating fact: Largemouth blennies are known for their unique habit of living in abandoned worm tubes. They also have a symbiotic relationship with gobies, providing protection in exchange for food scraps.
24. Lookdown Fish
Lookdown fishes are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, often near coastal areas. They have flattened bodies with silver scales and can grow up to 18 inches in length.
Fascinating fact: Lookdown fishes get their name from their unique upward-facing eyes, which give them a “looking down” appearance. They are also popular in aquariums due to their interesting shape and behavior.
25. Largemouth Triplefin
The largemouth triplefin is a small fish found in shallow waters around New Zealand and southern Australia. They have a distinctive color pattern of black and yellow stripes and can grow up to 3 inches in length.
Fascinating fact: Largemouth triplefins are known for their unique hunting technique – they use jets of water from their mouths to dislodge prey from cracks and crevices in rocks. They also have the ability to change color, with males displaying brighter colors during mating season.
The world of fish is vast and diverse, with over 30,000 known species. The 25 fish names that start with L listed in this article are just a small glimpse into the amazing variety found in our oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Each of these fish types has its own unique characteristics and behaviors, making them fascinating to learn about. From the impressive hunting abilities of the lantern fish to the long-distance migrations of lake trout, these fish species have evolved incredible adaptations for survival in their respective habitats.