75+ Wonderful Fish Names that Start with W [ Fish Names List ]
Have you ever wondered what types of fish start with the letter “W”? Look no further, as we have compiled a comprehensive guide to 75 fish names that begin with the letter “W”. From freshwater to saltwater, small to large, and common to rare, this list has something for every fish enthusiast.
1. Wahoo
The wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) is a highly sought-after game fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It is known for its speed, agility, and delicious white flesh. It can reach lengths of up to 8 feet and weigh over 180 pounds. Wahoo is a popular choice for sport fishing due to its acrobatic abilities and strong fight.
2. Walleye
The walleye (Sander vitreus) is a freshwater fish native to North America. It is known for its distinctive golden eyes, which reflect light and help them see in low-light conditions. Walleye are prized by anglers for their tasty white flesh and challenging fishing techniques.
3. Wels Catfish
The wels catfish (Silurus glanis) is a large freshwater fish native to Europe and Asia. It can reach lengths of up to 13 feet and weigh over 300 pounds, making it one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. Wels catfish are opportunistic predators and have been known to consume birds, small mammals, and even other fish.
4. White Marlin
The white marlin (Kajikia albida) is a species of billfish found in the Atlantic Ocean. It can reach lengths of up to 10 feet and weigh over 180 pounds. White marlin are popular game fish due to their impressive speed and acrobatic jumps when hooked.
5. White Perch
The white perch (Morone americana) is a freshwater fish found in the eastern United States and Canada. It is known for its silvery-white body with black stripes along its sides. White perch are often caught for food, as they have a mild, flaky white meat.
6. White Seabass
The white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) is a popular game fish found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It can reach lengths of up to 5 feet and weigh over 90 pounds. White seabass are known for their excellent taste and are a prized catch among anglers.
7. White Sturgeon
The white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is a large freshwater fish native to North America. It can reach lengths of up to 20 feet and weigh over 1,500 pounds, making it the largest freshwater fish in North America. White sturgeon are bottom feeders and are commonly caught for their caviar.
8. Wimple
The wimple (Symphurus atricaudus) is a small flatfish found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. It has a unique appearance, with both eyes on one side of its body and a dark spot on its tail fin. Wimples are often caught for food and can be found in shallow coastal waters.
9. Winter Flounder
The winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) is a flatfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its distinctive brown and white coloration, making it easy to spot on the ocean floor. Winter flounder are prized by anglers for their delicious taste and can be found from Nova Scotia to North Carolina.
10. Wolf Eel
The wolf eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) is a long, snake-like fish found in the North Pacific Ocean. It can reach lengths of up to 8 feet and weigh over 40 pounds. Despite its intimidating appearance, the wolf eel is actually quite docile and is often kept as an exhibit in aquariums.
11. Wolf Herring
The wolf herring (Chirocentrus dorab) is a predatory fish found in the Indo-Pacific region. It has a long, slender body and sharp teeth, making it a formidable hunter. Wolf herrings are often caught for their tasty meat and can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
12. Wolffish
The wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) is a large, eel-like fish found in the North Atlantic Ocean. It can reach lengths of up to 5 feet and weigh over 40 pounds. Wolffish are voracious predators with strong jaws and sharp teeth, making them a challenge for anglers to catch.
13. Wrasse
The wrasse (Labridae) is a diverse family of fish found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, with some species reaching lengths of up to 6 feet. Wrasse are popular among aquarium owners for their vibrant colors and interesting behaviors.
14. Wreckfish
The wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) is a large, deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic Ocean. It can reach lengths of up to 6 feet and weigh over 200 pounds. Wreckfish are slow-growing and long-lived, with some individuals living up to 100 years.
15. Wrymouth
The wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus) is a small, bottom-dwelling fish found in the North Pacific Ocean. It has a distinctively twisted mouth, hence its name. Wrymouth are often caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries and have been known to make unusual noises when handled.
16. Walking Catfish
The walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) is a freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. It has the ability to “walk” on land using its pectoral fins and can survive for short periods of time out of water. Walking catfish are considered an invasive species in many parts of the world.
17. Warty Angler
The warty angler (Lophius piscatorius) is a deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas. It has a large, warty head with numerous fleshy appendages used to attract prey. Warty anglers are often caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries and can camouflage themselves on the ocean floor.
18. Weaverfish
The weaverfish (Trachinus draco) is a small, venomous fish found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It has sharp spines on its dorsal fin that can cause painful stings if stepped on. Weaverfish are often caught by unsuspecting swimmers or anglers, but their venom is not deadly to humans.
19. West Indian Chub
The West Indian chub (Kyphosus sectatrix) is a species of fish found in the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It has a silver body with black stripes and can grow up to 3 feet in length. West Indian chubs are commonly caught by recreational anglers and have a mild, white flesh.
20. Whiff
The whiff (Citharichthys arctifrons) is a flatfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It has a diamond-shaped body with both eyes on the left side. Whiffs are often caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries, but some anglers enjoy targeting them for their unique appearance.
21. Whitebait
Whitebait refers to the immature fry of various fish species, including herring, sprat, and anchovy. They are commonly caught in coastal waters around the world and are a popular snack in many countries. Whitebait can be eaten whole, often deep-fried, and are a good source of protein.
22. Wobbegong
The wobbegong (Orectolobidae) is a family of bottom-dwelling sharks found in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. They have unique patterns and coloration that allow them to blend in with their surroundings. Wobbegongs are often caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries, but some species are also targeted by recreational anglers for their impressive size.
23. Wolf River Catfish
The Wolf River catfish (Ameiurus melas) is a species of freshwater catfish found in the Midwestern United States. It has a dark, mottled body and can grow up to 2 feet in length. Wolf River catfish are a popular game fish among anglers and are prized for their firm, white flesh.
24. Wounded Minnow
The wounded minnow (Notropis maculatus) is a small, freshwater fish found in the eastern United States. It has a silver body with dark spots and can reach lengths of up to 5 inches. Despite its name, the wounded minnow is not actually injured but instead mimics an injured fish to attract predators.
25. Wrasse (Labridae)
The wrasse (Labridae) is a diverse family of fish found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, with some species reaching lengths of up to 6 feet. Wrasse are popular among aquarium owners for their vibrant colors and interesting behaviors. They are also important in coral reef ecosystems, as they help control populations of small invertebrates and algae.
More Fish Names Starting with Letter W:
| S.No | Fish Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) | A scombrid fish known for its speed and high-quality flesh. |
| 2 | Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) | A species of freshwater airbreathing catfish known for its ability to “walk” on land. |
| 3 | Walleye (Sander vitreus) | A freshwater perciform fish native to North America, popular in sport fishing. |
| 4 | Waccamaw Darter | A small freshwater fish endemic to Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina, USA. |
| 5 | Waccamaw Killifish | Another species endemic to Lake Waccamaw, known for its small size and vibrant colors. |
| 6 | Waccamaw Silverside | A small, schooling fish also found in Lake Waccamaw. |
| 7 | Waigeo Rainbowfish | A brightly colored freshwater fish native to Waigeo Island in Indonesia. |
| 8 | Waigieu Seaperch | A marine fish found in the waters around Waigeo Island. |
| 9 | Waite’s Lefteye Flounder | A bottom-dwelling flatfish named for its habit of lying on the sea floor with its left eye facing upwards. |
| 10 | Wallago (Wallago attu) | A large, predatory catfish native to South and Southeast Asia. |
| 11 | Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) | A species of freshwater sunfish native to North America, known for its large mouth. |
| 12 | Warty Angler (Brachionichthys hirsutus) | A type of anglerfish known for its wart-like skin projections. |
| 13 | Walleye Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) | A key species in the Alaska pollock fishery, one of the largest fisheries in the world. |
| 14 | Walu (Escolar) | A deep-water species known for its rich, oily flesh. |
| 15 | Warsaw Grouper (Epinephelus nigritus) | A species of grouper found in the Atlantic Ocean, known for its large size. |
| 16 | Weever (family Trachinidae) | A family of venomous marine fish known for their painful sting. |
| 17 | Weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) | A type of loach known for its ability to predict changes in weather. |
| 18 | Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis) | One of the largest species of catfish, native to Eastern Europe. |
| 19 | Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) | A small, live-bearing fish known for its ability to control mosquito populations. |
| 20 | Whale Catfish (Cetopsidae) | A family of small to medium-sized catfishes from South America. |
| 21 | Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) | Not a fish but a bird that feeds on fish and known for its whisker-like feathers. |
| 22 | White Marlin (Kajikia albida) | A species of billfish known for its speed and agility. |
| 23 | White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) | The largest freshwater fish in North America, known for producing high-quality caviar. |
| 24 | Whitespotted Puffer (Arothron hispidus) | A tropical marine fish known for its ability to puff up when threatened. |
| 25 | Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) | A small shark species commonly found in Indo-Pacific coral reefs. |
| 26 | Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) | A small, silvery fish found in the North Atlantic, popular in British cuisine. |
| 27 | Wimple Piranha (Catoprion mento) | A species of piranha known for its wimple-like opercular flap. |
| 28 | Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) | A flatfish species found in the North Atlantic, known for moving inshore during the winter. |
| 29 | Wolf Eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) | Despite the name, it’s a species of wolffish known for its eel-like body and strong jaws. |
| 30 | Wolf Herring (Chirocentrus dorab) | A herring-like fish known for its wolf-like teeth. |
| 31 | Wonga Wonga Shad (Hilsa kelee) | A small, schooling fish found in the Indo-Pacific region. |
| 32 | Wood Catfish (Trichomycteridae) | A family of small catfishes from South America known for their wood-dwelling habits. |
| 33 | Woolly Sculpin (Clinocottus analis) | A small, bottom-dwelling fish found in the Pacific Ocean. |
| 34 | Worm Goby (Taenioides cirratus) | A small, worm-like goby found in the Indo-Pacific region. |
| 35 | Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) | A large, deep-water fish known for inhabiting shipwrecks. |
| 36 | Wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes maculatus) | A bottom-dwelling fish known for its large mouth and elongated body. |
| 37 | Warty Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus parvimensis) | Although not a fish, it’s included due to its aquatic nature and interesting warty skin. |
| 38 | Winghead Shark (Eusphyra blochii) | A species of hammerhead shark known for its greatly elongated “wings”. |
| 39 | Winged Seahorse (Hippocampus alatus) | A species of seahorse known for its wing-like pectoral fins. |
| 40 | Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) | A species of freshwater fish found in the Great Lakes region of North America. |
| 41 | White Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) | A reef-dwelling fish known for its grunt-like sound. |
| 42 | Whiskery Shark (Furgaleus macki) | A small, bottom-dwelling shark known for its long, whisker-like barbels. |
| 43 | White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) | A small, colorful freshwater fish popular in aquariums. |
| 44 | Whitefin Sharksucker (Echeneis neucratoides) | A species of remora known for attaching itself to sharks. |
| 45 | White-spotted Puffer (Arothron hispidus) | A brightly colored marine fish known for its ability to inflate its body. |
| 46 | Wimple Fish (Schilbe intermedius) | A small, schooling fish found in Africa. |
| 47 | Witch Flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) | A flatfish species found in the North Atlantic, known for its left-eyed flounder orientation. |
| 48 | Wirecoral Goby (Bryaninops yongei) | A small, tropical fish known for living on wire corals. |
| 49 | Wrestling Halfbeak (Dermogenys pusilla) | A small, live-bearing fish known for its unusual jaw structure. |
| 50 | Wrought Iron Butterflyfish (Chaetodon daedalma) | A marine fish known for its dark, iron-like coloration. |
Conclusion:
Overall, the 75 fish names that start with W offer a diverse range of species found in various regions around the world. From large predatory fish to small bottom-dwellers, each fish has unique characteristics that make it a fascinating addition to any aquatic environment. As with all living creatures, it is important to respect and protect these fish and their habitats for future generations to enjoy. So the next time you come across a fish starting with W, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and importance in our oceans and rivers.
