As of September 2016, the
International Union for Conservation of Nature
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of nat ...
(IUCN) lists 1245
vulnerable fish
Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% of ...
species.
8.1% of all evaluated fish species are listed as vulnerable.
The IUCN also lists eight fish subspecies as vulnerable.
Of the subpopulations of fishes evaluated by the IUCN, 18 species subpopulations have been assessed as vulnerable.
For a species to be assessed as vulnerable to extinction the best available evidence must meet quantitative criteria set by the IUCN designed to reflect "a high risk of extinction in the wild". ''Endangered'' and ''critically endangered'' species also meet the quantitative criteria of ''vulnerable'' species, and are listed separately. See:
List of endangered fishes
As of September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 643 endangered fish species. 4.2% of all evaluated fish species are listed as endangered.
The IUCN also lists ten fish subspecies as endangered.
Of the subp ...
,
List of critically endangered fishes. Vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species are collectively referred to as ''
threatened species
Threatened species are any species (including animals, plants and fungi) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future. Species that are threatened are sometimes characterised by the population dynamics measure of '' critical depen ...
'' by the IUCN.
Additionally 3191 fish species (21% of those evaluated) are listed as ''
data deficient'', meaning there is insufficient information for a full assessment of conservation status. As these species typically have small distributions and/or populations, they are intrinsically likely to be threatened, according to the IUCN. While the category of ''data deficient'' indicates that no assessment of extinction risk has been made for the taxa, the IUCN notes that it may be appropriate to give them "the same degree of attention as threatened taxa, at least until their status can be assessed."
This is a complete list of vulnerable fish species and subspecies evaluated by the IUCN. Species and subspecies which have vulnerable subpopulations (or stocks) are indicated.
Lobe-finned fishes
*
Indonesian coelacanth
The Indonesian coelacanth (''Latimeria menadoensis'', Indonesian: ''raja laut'') is one of two living species of coelacanth, identifiable by its brown color. It is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, while the other species, ''L. chalumnae'' ( We ...
''(Latimeria menadoensis)''
Cartilaginous fishes
Chondrichthyes includes sharks, rays, skates, and sawfish. There are 121 species and eight subpopulations of cartilaginous fish assessed as vulnerable.
Angelshark
The angelsharks are a group of sharks in the genus ''Squatina'' of the family Squatinidae. They commonly inhabit sandy seabeds close to in depth. Many species are now classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservat ...
s
Mackerel sharks
The Lamniformes (, from Greek ''lamna'' "fish of prey") are an order of sharks commonly known as mackerel sharks (which may also refer specifically to the family Lamnidae). It includes some of the most familiar species of sharks, such as the gr ...
Species
Subpopulations
*
Shortfin mako shark
The shortfin mako shark (; ; ''Isurus oxyrinchus''), also known as the blue pointer or bonito shark, is a large mackerel shark. It is commonly referred to as the mako shark, as is the longfin mako shark (''Isurus paucus''). The shortfin mako can ...
''(Isurus oxyrinchus)'' (2 subpopulations)
Rays and skates
There are 74 species and one subpopulation in the order Rajiformes assessed as vulnerable.
Rhynchobatids
Guitarfish
The guitarfish, also referred to as shovelnose rays, are a family, Rhinobatidae, of rays. The guitarfish are known for an elongated body with a flattened head and trunk and small, ray-like wings. The combined range of the various species is trop ...
species
Whiptail stingray
The whiptail stingrays are a family, the Dasyatidae, of rays in the order Myliobatiformes. They are found worldwide in tropical to temperate marine waters, and a number of species have also penetrated into fresh water in Africa, Asia, and Austra ...
s
Narcinids
Species
Subpopulations
*
Apron ray ''(Discopyge tschudii)'' (1 subpopulation)
Skates
Skates
Other Rajiformes species
Ground sharks
Species
Subpopulations
Carpet shark
Carpet sharks are sharks classified in the order Orectolobiformes . Sometimes the common name "carpet shark" (named so because many species resemble ornately patterned carpets) is used interchangeably with "wobbegong", which is the common name of ...
s
Squaliformes
Species
Subpopulations
*
Spiny dogfish
The spiny dogfish (''Squalus acanthias''), spurdog, mud shark, or piked dogfish is one of the best known species of the Squalidae (dogfish) family of sharks, which is part of the Squaliformes order.
While these common names may apply to several ...
''(Squalus acanthias)'' (2 subpopulations)
Chimaeras
*
Ogilby's ghostshark ''(Hydrolagus ogilbyi)''
Lampreys
Lampreys (sometimes inaccurately called lamprey eels) are an ancient extant lineage of jawless fish of the order Petromyzontiformes , placed in the superclass Cyclostomata. The adult lamprey may be characterized by a toothed, funnel-like su ...
Ray-finned fishes
Actinopterygii (; ), members of which are known as ray-finned fishes, is a class of bony fish. They comprise over 50% of living vertebrate species.
The ray-finned fishes are so called because their fins are webs of skin supported by bony or hor ...
There are 1114 species, eight subspecies, and four subpopulations of ray-finned fish assessed as vulnerable.
Acipenseriformes
Acipenseriformes is an order of basal ray-finned fishes that includes living and fossil sturgeons and paddlefishes (Acipenseroidei), as well as the extinct families Chondrosteidae and Peipiaosteidae. They are the second earliest div ...
Species
Subspecies
*
Gulf sturgeon ''(Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)''
Salmoniformes
Salmonidae is a family of ray-finned fish that constitutes the only currently extant family in the order Salmoniformes . It includes salmon (both Atlantic and Pacific species), trout (both ocean-going and landlocked), chars, freshwater whitefis ...
Species
Subpopulations
*
Sockeye salmon ''(Oncorhynchus nerka)'' (3 subpopulations)
Silversides
Toothcarps
There are 85 species and three subspecies of toothcarp assessed as vulnerable.
Goodeids
Pupfish
Pupfish are a group of small killifish belonging to ten genera of the family Cyprinodontidae of ray-finned fish. Pupfish are especially noted for being found in extreme and isolated situations. They are primarily found in North America, South Am ...
species
Aplocheilids
*''
Pachypanchax arnoulti''
*''
Pachypanchax patriciae''
Rivulids
Nothobranchiids
Species
Subspecies
Poeciliids
Fundulids
Cypriniformes
Cypriniformes is an order of ray-finned fish, including the carps, minnows, loaches, and relatives. Cypriniformes is an Order within the Superorder Ostariophysi consisting of " Carp-like" Ostariophysins. This order contains 11-12 famili ...
Cypriniformes includes carps, minnows, loaches and relatives. There are 298 species and one subspecies in the order Cypriniformes assessed as vulnerable.
Hillstream loach
The hillstream loaches or river loaches are a family, the Balitoridae, of small fish from South, Southeast and East Asia. The family includes about 202 species. They are sometimes sold as "lizardfish" or (in Germany) "flossensaugers". Many of th ...
es
True loaches
Cyprinids
Cyprinidae is a family of freshwater fish commonly called the carp or minnow family. It includes the carps, the true minnows, and relatives like the barbs and barbels. Cyprinidae is the largest and most diverse fish family and the largest vert ...
Species
Subspecies
*
Incilevrek baligi ''(Phoxinellus zeregi fahirae)''
Suckers
Gasterosteiformes
Gasterosteoidei is a suborder of ray-finned fishes that includes the sticklebacks and relatives, the 5th edition of '' Fishes of the World'' classifies this suborder within the order Scorpaeniformes.
Systematics
Gasterosteoidei is treated as ...
Species
Subpopulations
*
Little dragonfish
The little dragonfish or short dragonfish (''Eurypegasus draconis'') is a species of marine fish in the family Pegasidae. It is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea.
The little dragonfish can grow ...
''(Eurypegasus draconis)'' (1 subpopulation)
*
Longtail seamoth ''(Pegasus volitans)'' (2 subpopulations)
Osmeriformes
The Osmeriformes are an order of ray-finned fish that includes the true or freshwater smelts and allies, such as the galaxiids and noodlefishes; they are also collectively called osmeriforms. They belong to the teleost superorder Protacanthopt ...
Catfish
Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive ...
es
There are 89 catfish species assessed as vulnerable.
Ictalurids
Sisorids
Loach catfish
The loach catfishes are a family, Amphiliidae, of catfishes ( order Siluriformes). They are widespread in tropical Africa, but are most common in streams at high elevations; most species are able to cling to rocks in fast-flowing streams. The 13 ...
es
Claroteids
Airbreathing catfish
Airbreathing catfish comprise the family Clariidae of the order Siluriformes. Sixteen genera and about 116 species of clariid fishes are described; all are freshwater species. Other groups of catfish also breathe air, such as the Callichthyidae ...
es
Loricariids
The Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish (order Siluriformes), with 92 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are ...
Mochokids
Bagrids
Other catfish species
Batrachoidiformes
Perciformes
Perciformes (), also called the Percomorpha or Acanthopteri, is an order or superorder of ray-finned fish. If considered a single order, they are the most numerous order of vertebrates, containing about 41% of all bony fish. Perciformes means ...
There are 405 species, one subspecies, and one subpopulation in the order Perciformes assessed as vulnerable.
Gourami
Gouramis, or gouramies , are a group of freshwater anabantiform fishes that comprise the family Osphronemidae. The fish are native to Asia—from the Indian Subcontinent to Southeast Asia and northeasterly towards Korea. The name "gourami", of ...
s
Cichlids
Species
Subspecies
*''
Sarotherodon galilaeus borkuanus''
Percids
Epinephelids
Species
Subpopulations
Gobies
Gobiidae or gobies is a family of bony fish in the order Gobiiformes, one of the largest fish families comprising more than 2,000 species in more than 200 genera. Most of gobiid fish are relatively small, typically less than in length, and the ...
Sparids
Sand stargazer
Sand stargazers are blennioids; perciform marine fish of the family Dactyloscopidae. Found in temperate to tropical waters of North and South America; some may also inhabit brackish environments. The giant sand stargazer (''Dactylagnus mundus'' ...
s
Sciaenids
Labrisomid
Labrisomids are small blennioids (blennies), percomorph marine fish belonging to the family Labrisomidae. Found mostly in the tropical Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, the family contains about 110 species in 15 genera.
Stockier than the average bl ...
s
Serranids
Chaenopsids
Combtooth blennies
Wrasse
The wrasses are a family, Labridae, of marine fish, many of which are brightly colored. The family is large and diverse, with over 600 species in 81 genera, which are divided into 9 subgroups or tribes.
They are typically small, most of them le ...
s
Threefin blennies
Other Perciformes species
Beloniformes
Beloniformes is an order composed of six families (and about 264 species) of freshwater and marine ray-finned fish:
* Adrianichthyidae (ricefish and medakas)
* Belonidae (needlefish)
* Exocoetidae (flyingfishes)
* Hemiramphidae (halfbeaks) ...
Synbranchiformes
Osteoglossiformes
Osteoglossiformes (Greek: "bony tongues") is a relatively primitive order of ray-finned fish that contains two sub-orders, the Osteoglossoidei and the Notopteroidei. All of at least 245 living species inhabit freshwater. They are found in South ...
Mormyrids
Gobiesociformes
Characiformes
Characiformes is an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, more than 2000 different species are described, including the well-known piranha and tetras.; Buckup P.A.: "Relationsh ...
Species
Subspecies
*''
Astyanax mexicanus jordani''
Syngnathiformes
The Syngnathiformes are an order of ray-finned fishes that includes the trumpetfishes and seahorses.FishBase (2005)Order Summary for Syngnathiformes Version of 2005-FEB-15. Retrieved 19 Aug 2008.
These fishes have elongated, narrow, bodies surr ...
Clupeiformes
Clupeiformes is the order of ray-finned fish that includes the herring family, Clupeidae, and the anchovy family, Engraulidae. The group includes many of the most important forage and food fish.
Clupeiformes are physostomes, which means that ...
Species
Subspecies
*''
Clupeonella abrau muhlisi''
Scorpaeniformes
The Scorpaeniformes are a diverse order of ray-finned fish, including the lionfishes and sculpins, but have also been called the Scleroparei. It is one of the five largest orders of bony fishes by number of species, with over 1,320.
They are ...
Ophidiiformes
Tetraodontiformes
The Tetraodontiformes are an order of highly derived ray-finned fish, also called the Plectognathi. Sometimes these are classified as a suborder of the order Perciformes. The Tetraodontiformes are represented by 10 extant families and at least ...
Other ray-finned fish species
Hagfish
Hagfish, of the class Myxini (also known as Hyperotreti) and order Myxiniformes , are eel-shaped, slime-producing marine fish (occasionally called slime eels). They are the only known living animals that have a skull but no vertebral column, ...
es
See also
*
Lists of IUCN Red List vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 (4618 Animalia, 5075 Plantae, 1 Protista) Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.
For IUCN lists of vulnerable species by kingdom, s ...
*
List of least concern fishes
*
List of near threatened fishes
As of September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 548 near threatened fish species. 3.6% of all evaluated fish species are listed as near threatened.
The IUCN also lists seven fish subspecies as near threate ...
*
List of endangered fishes
As of September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 643 endangered fish species. 4.2% of all evaluated fish species are listed as endangered.
The IUCN also lists ten fish subspecies as endangered.
Of the subp ...
*
List of critically endangered fishes
*
List of recently extinct fishes
As of September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 65 extinct fish species, 87 possibly extinct fish species, and six extinct in the wild fish species.
Cartilaginous fish
Possibly extinct species
* Lost shark ...
*
List of data deficient fishes
As of September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 3191 data deficient fish species. 21% of all evaluated fish species are listed as data deficient.
The IUCN also lists 12 fish subspecies as data deficient.
Of ...
*
Sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification
Sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification are programs aimed at increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact and sustainability of their seafood purchasing choices.
California-based Seafood Watch and Marine Conservation ...
References
01
Vulnerable
*Fish
Vulnerable
Vulnerable fishes
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