The biggest fish in the world is really friendly

The largest fish in the world is the whale shark, which grows to more than 65 feet, weighing nearly 40 tons. Despite this fish’s size, it is pretty much harmless, and has been known to give people a ride on their huge polka dot backs.

The world’s most common fish is hardly seen

The world’s most common fish, the Bristle mouth, which lives between 183 and 457 metres down in the ocean, is so hard to see because, in addition to the depth that it lives, it is very small. In fact, they grow to no more than three inches in length and camouflages itself to avoid predators.

The tiniest fish is male and he lives inside the female

The world’s smallest fish is a male anglerfish. This type of fish, which was discovered in the Philippines, measures just about 6.2 centimetres. When the male Anglerfish finds the female, he uses his teeth to attach himself to the female, who is much larger. He eventually becomes a part of the female, as she carries him around in a bump. Therefore, she would do all the work, such as finding food etc.

Fish have head-to-tail tastebuds

Unlike humans, fish have taste buds all over their bodies. Many species of fish have taste buds on their fins, face and tail, in addition to their tongue. Therefore, some fish can taste food even before it goes into their mouths. Catfish are covered in taste buds from head to toe, which help them to scavenge for food, even in muddy water.

Some fish can swim backwards

Even though most fish have a natural force that allows them to push forward, there are some species that can move a backward. One of such is the Triggerfish, which fins that are inclined so that they can thrust forward, which moves them backward. The electric eel is another example. The difference is the type of locomotion used.

— Aldane Walters