80+ Sweetest Fish Names Starting with Letter S

Fish are one of the most diverse and fascinating creatures in our oceans, lakes, and rivers. With over 30,000 known species of fish, it’s no wonder that there are so many different types of fish with names starting with the letter “S”. From tiny guppies to massive sharks, these fish have captured our imagination and intrigued us for centuries.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore 80 different fish names that start with the letter “S”, providing descriptions and interesting facts about each one. Whether you are a seasoned fish enthusiast or simply curious about these aquatic creatures, this article is sure to expand your knowledge and appreciation of the diverse world of fish.

1. Salmon

Salmon is a popular fish known for its delicious taste and impressive jumping abilities. These fish are native to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as many rivers and lakes around the world. In addition to being a tasty meal, salmon play an important role in their ecosystems by providing nutrients to other animals through their annual migration from freshwater to saltwater and back again.

2. Swordfish

The swordfish gets its name from its long, sword-like bill that it uses to hunt for prey such as squid and smaller fish. This impressive fish can grow up to 14 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Found in tropical and temperate ocean waters, swordfish are known for their powerful and speedy swimming abilities.

3. Seahorse

One of the most unique looking fish on our list, seahorses are found in shallow tropical and temperate waters around the world. They are known for their upright posture, curly tails, and ability to change color to blend in with their surroundings. Despite their small size (ranging from 0.6 to 14 inches), seahorses have a voracious appetite and can consume up to 3,000 brine shrimp per day.

4. Sardine

Sardines are small, oily fish found in large schools in many parts of the world. They are an important food source for other animals such as dolphins, sharks, and humans. These fish are known for their silver scales and are often canned as a popular food option. In addition to being a tasty treat, sardines are also an important source of omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Sunfish

Also known as mola mola, sunfish are one of the heaviest bony fish in the world, with some individuals weighing over 5,000 pounds. These oddly shaped fish have a flattened body, making them resemble a giant floating pancake in the water. Despite their size, sunfish primarily feed on jellyfish and are found in tropical and temperate waters around the world.

6. Starfish

Starfish are not actually fish, but rather echinoderms that live in all of the world’s oceans. They are known for their distinctive star-shaped appearance and ability to regenerate lost limbs. While some species have only five arms, there are others with up to 40! Some starfish also have a unique defense mechanism where they can detach and regrow one of their arms if it is caught by a predator.

7. Sturgeon

Sturgeons are ancient fish that have been around for over 200 million years. These large, slow-swimming fish can reach lengths of up to 18 feet and weigh over 1,500 pounds. Known for their tasty caviar (fish eggs), sturgeons are found in freshwater rivers and lakes around the world.

8. Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish are a group of fish known for their venomous spines and impressive camouflage abilities. They can be found in tropical and temperate waters, often hiding amongst rocks or blending in with their surroundings on the ocean floor. Despite their name, scorpionfish are not aggressive unless provoked and will usually only sting if threatened.

9. Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon, also known as red salmon, are a species of Pacific salmon found in both the ocean and freshwater rivers. These fish get their name from their bright red color that intensifies during spawning season. Along with other types of salmon, sockeye are an important food source for many animals, including humans.

10. Snapper

Snappers are a group of fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They are known for their delicious white meat and come in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, blue, and even black. Snappers are also popular among recreational fishermen due to their strong fighting abilities.

11. Sculpin

Sculpins are a group of small fish found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. They are known for their large, spiny heads and can be found in a variety of colors and patterns. Some species of sculpin have adapted to live in extreme environments such as the deep sea or frigid Arctic waters.

12. Stingray

Stingrays are a type of cartilaginous fish related to sharks that are found in tropical and subtropical waters. They are known for their flat, diamond-shaped bodies and long, thin tails with a stinger at the end that can deliver a painful (but usually non-fatal) sting. Despite this defense mechanism, stingrays are generally docile and prefer to bury themselves in the sand rather than attack.

13. Shrimp

Shrimp are small crustaceans found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats around the world. They are known for their tasty, nutrient-rich meat and play an important role in many food chains. Interestingly, some species of shrimp can produce sounds by “cracking” their claws together to communicate with other shrimp.

14. Snakehead

Snakehead fish are a group of predatory freshwater fish native to Asia and Africa. They are known for their snake-like appearance, sharp teeth, and ability to breathe air using a specialized organ called a labyrinth organ. Snakehead fish have been introduced to other parts of the world and are considered invasive due to their negative impact on local ecosystems.

15. Sawfish

Sawfish are a group of large, cartilaginous fish found in tropical and subtropical waters. They get their name from their long, flat snouts that are lined with sharp teeth resembling a saw. Despite their intimidating appearance, sawfish are generally harmless to humans and feed on smaller fish and crustaceans.

16. Suckerfish

Also known as remoras, suckerfish are a group of fish that attach themselves to larger marine animals such as sharks, whales, and turtles. They use a specialized suction cup on their heads to cling onto their hosts and feed on scraps of food or parasites. Suckerfish are found in warm tropical waters around the world.

17. Salmon

Salmon are a group of fish found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. They are known for their unique life cycle where they hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean to grow and mature, and then return to their natal rivers to spawn and die. This migration is an important aspect of salmon’s ecology and plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling.

18. Seahorse

Seahorses are small fish found in shallow tropical and temperate waters around the world. They are known for their unique appearance, with a long snout resembling that of a horse and a prehensile tail used to hold onto seagrass or other objects. Seahorses are also one of the only species where males carry and give birth to young.

19. Swordfish

Swordfish are large, predatory fish found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. They are known for their distinctive long, sword-like snouts used to stun prey before eating them. Swordfish are also capable of swimming at high speeds, making them a popular catch among sport fishermen.

20. Sardine

Sardines are a group of small, oily fish found in large schools in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. They are an important food source for many marine animals, including larger fish, dolphins, and seabirds. Sardines have been commercially fished for centuries, and their popularity as a food source continues to this day.

21. Sole

Sole are a family of flatfish found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats around the world. They are known for their distinct flat, elongated bodies and can be found in a variety of colors and patterns to blend in with their surroundings on the ocean floor. Sole are an important food source for humans, especially in Europe and Asia.

22. Sucker

Suckers are a group of freshwater fish found in North America that belong to the same family as carp and minnows. They are known for their fleshy lips used to suck up food from the bottom of rivers and lakes. Suckers play an important role in nutrient cycling as they help keep bodies of water clean by consuming algae and other debris.

23. Sunfish

Sunfish, also known as mola mola, are a type of deep-sea fish found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. They are known for their unique appearance, with a large, flat body and small fins. Sunfish feed on jellyfish and other gelatinous animals and can grow to be incredibly large, with some reaching up to 5,000 pounds.

24. Sturgeon

Sturgeon are a group of fish found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats around the world. They are known for their long, bony snouts and can live to be over 100 years old. Sturgeon have been commercially fished for their meat and caviar, making them one of the most valuable fish species.

25. Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish are a group of brightly colored tropical fish found in the Caribbean and western Atlantic Ocean. They are known for their large eyes and spiny fins, which give them a squirrel-like appearance. Squirrelfish are primarily nocturnal and can be found hiding in coral reefs during the day, making them a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts.

More Fish Names Starting with Letter S:

S.No	Fish Name	Description
1	Sailfish	Known as the fastest fish in the ocean, they’re recognized by their long, pointed bills and large dorsal fins.
2	Salmon	A popular food fish, known for their long migrations from freshwater to the sea and back.
3	Sardine	Small, oily fish that are often canned and eaten whole.
4	Sawfish	Large, shark-like fish known for their long, saw-like snouts.
5	Scorpionfish	Known for their venomous spines, they are often camouflaged to blend in with their surroundings.
6	Sea Dragon	Related to seahorses, these fish are known for their leaf-like appendages.
7	Seahorse	Small, upright-swimming fish known for their horse-like heads and prehensile tails.
8	Shark	A group of carnivorous fish known for their cartilaginous skeletons and sharp teeth.
9	Shovelnose Sturgeon	Known for their shovel-like snouts and bony plates, they are native to North America.
10	Siamese Fighting Fish	Popular aquarium fish known for their vibrant colors and large, flowing fins.
11	Silver Dollar	A peaceful, schooling fish popular in aquariums for their round, silver bodies.
12	Skipjack Tuna	A fast-swimming pelagic fish, commonly canned as light tuna.
13	Sockeye Salmon	Known for their bright red bodies during spawning, they are one of the smaller species of Pacific salmon.
14	Sole	Flatfish known for their bottom-dwelling behavior and eyes located on one side of their head.
15	Spearfish	Fast, predatory fish known for their long bills and slender bodies.
16	Spiny Dogfish	A small species of shark known for the venomous spines in front of each dorsal fin.
17	Spotted Bass	A popular game fish native to North America, known for the distinctive spots along their lower sides.
18	Squid	Not a fish but a cephalopod, they’re known for their elongated bodies, large eyes, and ability to squirt ink.
19	Stonefish	Known as one of the most venomous fish in the world, they are camouflaged to look like a rock.
20	Striped Bass	A popular game fish known for the distinctive dark stripes along their bodies.
21	Sturgeon	Large, ancient fish known for producing high-quality caviar.
22	Swordfish	Known for their long, sword-like bills, they are fast, predatory fish.
23	Sailfin Molly	A small, live-bearing fish popular in aquariums for their large dorsal fins.
24	Scissortail Rasbora	A schooling fish known for their black and white tail markings.
25	Scribbled Angelfish	Known for their intricate, scribble-like patterns, they are a popular marine aquarium fish.
26	Serpae Tetra	A small, schooling fish known for their bright red color and black spot on their dorsal fin.
27	Sheepshead Minnow	A small species of killifish known for their ability to tolerate a wide range of salinities.
28	Shortnose Gar	A primitive fish known for their elongated jaws filled with sharp teeth.
29	Siamese Algae Eater	A popular freshwater aquarium fish known for their ability to control algae growth.
30	Silver Arowana	Known for their large size and unique mouth shape, they are a popular aquarium fish.
31	Silver Hatchetfish	A small, schooling fish known for their hatchet-shaped bodies.
32	Silver Tip Tetra	Known for the silver tips on their fins, they are a small, schooling aquarium fish.
33	Six-bar Angelfish	Named for the six vertical bars on their bodies, they are a popular marine aquarium fish.
34	Skunk Clownfish	Known for the white stripe down their back, they are a popular marine aquarium fish.
35	Sleeper Goby	A group of bottom-dwelling fish known for their large mouths and ability to “jump” along the substrate.
36	Slender Grouper	Known for their elongated bodies, they are a species of sea bass found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
37	Smallmouth Bass	A popular game fish known for their aggressive behavior and preference for rocky habitats.
38	Smelt	Small, silvery fish often eaten whole and known for their cucumber-like smell.
39	Snapper	A group of carnivorous fish known for their sharp teeth and strong jaws.
40	Snowflake Eel	Known for their white, snowflake-like patterns, they are a popular marine aquarium fish.
41	Sockeye Salmon	Known for their bright red bodies during spawning, they are one of the smaller species of Pacific salmon.
42	South American Lungfish	Known for their ability to breathe air, they can survive out of water for extended periods.
43	Spangled Cichlid	Known for their spangled color pattern, they are a hardy freshwater aquarium fish.
44	Spanish Mackerel	A fast-swimming predatory fish, popular among sport fishermen.
45	Spectacled Caiman	Not a fish but a reptile, included due to its aquatic habits.
46	Speckled Trout	A popular game fish known for the speckled pattern along their bodies.
47	Spotted Gar	Known for their elongated jaws and spotted bodies, they are a primitive fish native to North America.
48	Spotted Puffer	Known for their ability to inflate their bodies, they are a popular marine aquarium fish.
49	Spotted Raphael Catfish	Known for their armor-like skin and peaceful nature, they are a popular freshwater aquarium fish.
50	Spotted Sunfish	A small, brightly colored fish known for the black spots along their sides.
51	Squawfish	A large, predatory fish native to North America, known for their preference for slow-moving waters.
52	Starlet	A small species of sturgeon known for their star-like scutes.
53	Striped Burrfish	Known for their spiny bodies and striped pattern, they are a type of pufferfish.
54	Striped Killifish	A small, live-bearing fish known for the distinctive stripes along their bodies.
55	Suckermouth Minnow	Known for their downturned mouths, they are a small, bottom-dwelling fish.
56	Swordtail	A popular live-bearing aquarium fish known for the sword-like extension on the tail of the males.
57	Scaly Dragonfish	A deep-sea species known for its bioluminescent organs.
58	Skilfish	A large, deepwater species found in the North Pacific, known for its oily flesh.
59	Spotfin Lionfish	Known for its venomous spines and spot on its dorsal fin.
60	Spear Squid	Not a fish but a cephalopod, included due to its aquatic habits.

Conclusion:

Overall, there are many fascinating fish species that start with S, each with their own unique characteristics and importance in their respective ecosystems. From the fearsome stingray to the colorful squirrelfish, these fish add diversity and wonder to our oceans and freshwater bodies. So next time you come across a fish that starts with S, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and significance in the natural world.