
In September 2016, the
International Union for Conservation of Nature
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the stat ...
(IUCN) listed 1245
vulnerable fish
A fish (: fish or fishes) is an aquatic animal, aquatic, Anamniotes, anamniotic, gill-bearing vertebrate animal with swimming fish fin, fins and craniate, a hard skull, but lacking limb (anatomy), limbs with digit (anatomy), digits. Fish can ...
species.
Of all evaluated fish species, 8.1% 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
In September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 643 Endangered species, endangered fish species. Of all evaluated fish species, 4.2% are listed as endangered.
The IUCN also lists ten fish subspecies as endan ...
,
List of critically endangered fishes
As of July 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 1,000 critically endangered fish species, including 87 which are tagged as possibly extinct. Of all evaluated fish species, 3.0% are listed as critically endanger ...
. Vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species are collectively referred to as
threatened species
A threatened species is any species (including animals, plants and fungi) which is vulnerable to extinction in the near future. Species that are threatened are sometimes characterised by the population dynamics measure of ''critical depensatio ...
by the IUCN.
Additionally 3191 fish species (21% of those evaluated) are listed as
data deficient
A data deficient (DD) species is one which has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as offering insufficient information for a proper assessment of conservation status to be made. This does not necessaril ...
, 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
Sarcopterygii (; )—sometimes considered synonymous with Crossopterygii ()—is a clade (traditionally a class (biology), class or subclass) of vertebrate animals which includes a group of bony fish commonly referred to as lobe-finned fish. The ...
*
Indonesian coelacanth
The Indonesian coelacanth (''Latimeria menadoensis'', Indonesian: ''raja laut''), also called Sulawesi coelacanth, is one of two living species of coelacanth, identifiable by its brown color. ''Latimeria menadoensis'' is a lobe-finned fish belong ...
(''Latimeria menadoensis'')
Cartilaginous fishes
Chondrichthyes (; ) is a class of jawed fish that contains the cartilaginous fish or chondrichthyans, which all have skeletons primarily composed of cartilage. They can be contrasted with the Osteichthyes or ''bony fish'', which have skeletons p ...
Chondrichthyes includes sharks, rays, skates, and sawfish. There are 121 species and eight subpopulations of cartilaginous fish assessed as vulnerable.
Angelshark
Angel sharks are sharks belonging to the genus ''Squatina''. They are the only living members of the family Squatinidae and order Squatiniformes. They commonly inhabit sandy seabeds close to in depth.
''Squatina'' and other Squatiniformes d ...
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 grea ...
Species
Subpopulations
*
Shortfin mako shark
The shortfin mako shark (; ; ''Isurus oxyrinchus''), also known as the shortfin mako, blue pointer, or bonito shark, is a large Lamniformes, mackerel shark. It is commonly referred to as the mako shark, as is the longfin mako shark (''Isurus pau ...
(''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 tro ...
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
Carcharhiniformes ( from Classical Greek ' (karcharos) 'sharp/jagged' and ' (rhinos) 'nose', plus Latin ''forme'' 'shape'), commonly known as ground sharks, are the largest order of sharks, with over 270 species. They include a number of common ...
Species
Subpopulations
Carpet shark
Carpet sharks are sharks classified in the order (biology), order Orectolobiformes . Sometimes the common name "carpet shark" (given because many species resemble ornately patterned carpets) is used interchangeably with "wobbegong", which is the ...
s
Squaliformes
The Squaliformes are an order of sharks that includes about 126 species in seven families.
Members of the order have two dorsal fins, which usually possess spines, they usually have a sharp head, no anal fin or nictitating membrane, and fi ...
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)
Chimaera
Chimaeras are Chondrichthyes, cartilaginous fish in the order (biology), order Chimaeriformes (), known informally as ghost sharks, rat fish (not to be confused with rattails), spookfish, or rabbit fish; the last two names are also applied to B ...
s
*
Ogilby's ghostshark (''Hydrolagus ogilbyi'')
Lampreys
Lampreys (sometimes inaccurately called lamprey eels) are a group of Agnatha, jawless fish comprising the order (biology), order Petromyzontiformes , sole order in the Class (biology), class Petromyzontida. The adult lamprey is characterize ...
Ray-finned fishes
Actinopterygii (; ), members of which are known as ray-finned fish or actinopterygians, is a class (biology), class of Osteichthyes, bony fish that comprise over 50% of living vertebrate species. They are so called because of their lightly built ...
There are 1114 species, eight subspecies, and four subpopulations of ray-finned fish assessed as vulnerable.
Acipenseriformes
Acipenseriformes is an order (biology), order of basal (phylogenetics), basal Actinopterygii, ray-finned fishes that includes living and fossil sturgeons and paddlefishes (Acipenseroidei), as well as the extinct family (biology), families C ...
Species
Subspecies
*
Gulf sturgeon
The Gulf sturgeon (''Acipenser desotoi'') is a species of sturgeon endemic to the southeastern United States. An anadromous fish, it inhabits the Gulf of Mexico and spawns in a number of rivers that drain into it, from southern Florida west to east ...
(''Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi'')
Salmoniformes
Salmoniformes (, lit. "salmon-shaped") is an Order (biology), order of Actinopterygii, ray-finned fishes native to the temperate and subarctic Northern Hemisphere. It contains two suborders: Salmonoidei (containing only the Salmonidae) and Esocoi ...
Species
Subpopulations
*
Sockeye salmon
The sockeye salmon (''Oncorhynchus nerka''), also called red salmon, kokanee salmon, blueback salmon, or simply sockeye, is an anadromous species of salmon found in the Northern Pacific Ocean and rivers discharging into it. This species is a ...
(''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, which includes many families and genera of cyprinid ( carps and their kin) fish, such as barbs, loaches, botias, and minnows (among others). Cypriniformes is an "order-within-an-order", placed ...
Cypriniformes includes carps, minnows, loaches and relatives. There are 298 species and one subspecies in the order Cypriniformes assessed as vulnerable.
Hillstream loach
Balitoridae, the hillstream loaches or river loaches, is a family, 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 the spe ...
es
True loaches
Cyprinids
Cyprinidae is a family of freshwater fish commonly called the carp or minnow family, including the carps, the true minnows, and their relatives the barbs and barbels, among others. Cyprinidae is the largest and most diverse fish family, and t ...
Species
Subspecies
*
Incilevrek baligi (''Phoxinellus zeregi fahirae'')
Suckers
Esociformes
The Esocoidei () is a small suborder of freshwater Actinopterygii, ray-finned fish, one of two suborders in the order Salmoniformes. It contains two families, Umbridae and Esocidae. The pikes of genus ''Esox'' give the order its name.
This order ...
Species
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 a ...
Species
Subpopulations
*
Little dragonfish (''Eurypegasus draconis'') (1 subpopulation)
*
Longtail seamoth (''Pegasus volitans'') (2 subpopulations)
Osmeriformes
The Osmeriformes are an order (biology), order of ray-finned fish that includes the true or freshwater smelts and allies, such as the noodlefishes; they are also collectively called osmeriforms. They belong to the teleost superorder Protacanthopt ...
Catfish
Catfish (or catfishes; order (biology), order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Catfish are common name, named for their prominent barbel (anatomy), barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, though not ...
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 g ...
es
Claroteids
Airbreathing catfish
Airbreathing catfish comprise the family Clariidae of the order Siluriformes. Sixteen genera and about 117 species of clariid fishes are described; all are freshwater species. Other groups of catfish also breathe air, such as the Callichthyidae ...
es
Loricariids
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish (order Siluriformes), with over 90 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are no ...
Mochokids
Bagrids
Other catfish species
Batrachoidiformes
Batrachoididae is the only family in the ray-finned fish order Batrachoidiformes . Members of this family are usually called toadfish or frogfish: both the English common name and scientific name refer to their toad-like appearance (''batrakhos ...
Perciformes
Perciformes (), also called the Acanthopteri, is an order or superorder of ray-finned fish in the clade Percomorpha. ''Perciformes'' means " perch-like". Among the well-known members of this group are perches and darters ( Percidae), and als ...
There are 405 species, one subspecies, and one subpopulation in the order Perciformes assessed as vulnerable.
Gourami
Gouramis, or gouramies , are a group of fresh water, freshwater Anabantiformes, anabantiform fish that comprise the family (biology), family Osphronemidae. The fish are native to Asia—from the Indian Subcontinent to Southeast Asia and northeas ...
s
Cichlid
Cichlids ()
are a large, diverse, and widespread family of percomorph fish in the family Cichlidae, order Cichliformes. At least 1,760 species have been scientifically described, making it one of the largest vertebrate families, with on ...
s
Species
Subspecies
*''
Sarotherodon galilaeus borkuanus
''Sarotherodon'' is a genus of oreochromine cichlids that are native to the northern half of Africa (south as far as the Congo River basin), with a single species, ''S. galilaeus'', also ranging into the Levant. A couple of species from this genu ...
''
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 over 2,000 species in more than 200 genera. Most of gobiid fish are relatively small, typically less than in length, and the fam ...
Sparids
Sand stargazers
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 ble ...
s
Serranids
Chaenopsids
Combtooth blennies
Combtooth blennies are blenniiformids; percomorph marine fish of the family Blenniidae, part of the order Blenniiformes. They are the largest family of blennies with around 401 known species in 58 genera. Combtooth blennies are found in tropic ...
Wrasse
The wrasses are a family, Labridae, of marine ray-finned fish, many of which are brightly colored. The family is large and diverse, with over 600 species in 81 genera, which are divided into nine subgroups or tribes.
They are typically small, ...
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 (halfb ...
Synbranchiformes
Synbranchiformes, often called swamp eels, though that name can also refer specifically to Synbranchidae, is an order of ray-finned fishes that are eel-like but have spiny rays, indicating that they belong to the superorder Acanthopterygii.
...
Osteoglossiformes
Osteoglossiformes , meaning "bony tongues" in Ancient Greek, 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 ...
Mormyrids
Gobiesociformes
Clingfishes are ray-finned fishes of the family Gobiesocidae, the only family in the suborder Gobiesocoidei of the order Blenniiformes. These fairly small to very small fishes are widespread in tropical and temperate regions, mostly near the coa ...
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 leafy seadragons, sea moths, trumpetfishes and seahorses, among others.FishBase (2005)Order Summary for Syngnathiformes Version of 2005-FEB-15. Retrieved 19 Aug 2008.
Th ...
Clupeiformes
Clupeiformes is the order of ray-finned fish that includes the herring family, Clupeidae, and the anchovy family, Engraulidae and sardines. The group includes many of the most important forage and food fish.
Clupeiformes are physostomes, ...
Species
Subspecies
*''
Clupeonella abrau muhlisi''
Scorpaeniformes
The Scorpaeniformes are a diverse Order (biology), order of Actinopterygii, 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 spec ...
Ophidiiformes
Ophidiiformes is an order of ray-finned fish that includes the cusk-eels (family Ophidiidae), pearlfishes (family Carapidae), viviparous brotulas (family Bythitidae), and others. Members of this order have small heads and long slender bodies. ...
Tetraodontiformes
Tetraodontiformes (), also known as the Plectognathi, is an order of ray-finned fishes which includes the pufferfishes and related taxa. This order has been classified as a suborder of the order Perciformes, although recent studies have found ...
Other ray-finned fish species
Hagfish
Hagfish, of the Class (biology), class Myxini (also known as Hyperotreti) and Order (biology), order Myxiniformes , are eel-shaped Agnatha, jawless fish (occasionally called slime eels). Hagfish are the only known living Animal, animals that h ...
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, see: ...
*
List of least concern fishes
As of September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 9131 Least-concern species, least concern fish species. 60% of all evaluated fish species are listed as least concern.
The IUCN also lists 37 fish subspecies a ...
*
List of near threatened fishes
In September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 548 Near-threatened species, near threatened fish species. Of all evaluated fish species, 3.6% are listed as near threatened.
The IUCN also lists seven fish su ...
*
List of endangered fishes
In September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 643 Endangered species, endangered fish species. Of all evaluated fish species, 4.2% are listed as endangered.
The IUCN also lists ten fish subspecies as endan ...
*
List of critically endangered fishes
As of July 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 1,000 critically endangered fish species, including 87 which are tagged as possibly extinct. Of all evaluated fish species, 3.0% are listed as critically endanger ...
*
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 shar ...
*
List of data deficient fishes
In September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 3191 data deficient fish species. A data deficient species is one which has been categorized by the IUCN as offering insufficient information for a proper assessm ...
*
Sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification
Sustainability is a social goal for people to co-exist on Earth over a long period of time. Definitions of this term are disputed and have varied with literature, context, and time. Sustainability usually has three dimensions (or pillars): env ...
References
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Vulnerable
*Fish
Vulnerable
Vulnerable fishes
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