10. Carp

Carp is the common name for freshwater fish of the carp family. They are widely distributed in various water bodies around the world. They prefer quiet, stagnant or slow-flowing waters with a hard clay and slightly silty bottom. Able to grow up to 1.2 meters in length and weigh more than 100 kg. They feed on mollusks, crustaceans, worms and insect larvae. The largest carp caught by a British angler in 2013 weighed 45.59 kg.

9. common taimen

Common taimen is a species of large freshwater fish, the largest representative of the salmon family. They live in the fast-flowing coldish rivers of Siberia and in the Amur River basin. Common taimen can grow up to 1.5–2 m long and weigh 60–80 kg. However, most of the mature fish caught averaged 70 to 120 cm in length and weighed 15 to 30 kg. The largest specimen caught, recorded by the International Game Fish Association, weighed 41.95 kg and was 156 cm long. The species is listed in the Red Book.

8. common catfish

The common catfish is a large freshwater scaleless demersal fish found in deep rivers, deep channels, lakes and reservoirs throughout Europe and Asia. The body length of catfish can reach 5 m, weight - 100 kg. There is a lot of information about giant catfish, reaching 250–300 kg, but there is no documentary evidence of the existence of such catfish. It is a typical predator and feeds on fish, large benthic invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, waterfowl, small mammals and even relatives. Like pike, catfish is an excellent orderly of reservoirs; it eats sick and weakened fish. Cases of attacks on people are also described.

7. Nile perch

Nile perch - a species of large freshwater predatory fish living in the basins of the Congo, Nile, Senegal, Niger, as well as in the lakes of Chad, Volta, Turkana and other reservoirs. Found in Lake Maryut in Egypt. Able to grow up to 2 meters in length, and weigh up to 200 kg. However, adults usually reach a length of 121-137 cm. The Nile perch is a predator that dominates in the waters of residence. It feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans and insects. Where food resources are limited, relatives can also be eaten.

6. Beluga

Beluga is a species of fish from the sturgeon family. It lives in the White, Caspian, Azov, Black, Adriatic seas, from where it enters the rivers for spawning. Their body length can reach 5 m, weight - 1000 kg (usually they catch individuals up to 2.5 m and weighing up to 200–300 kg). As an exception, according to unconfirmed reports, there were individuals 9 m long and weighing up to 2 tons, if this information is correct, then the beluga can be considered the largest freshwater fish globe. It feeds mainly on fish, but does not neglect shellfish.

5. White sturgeon

The fifth place in the list of the largest freshwater fish on the planet is occupied by the White sturgeon - a species of fish of the sturgeon family, the largest freshwater fish North America. It lives at the bottom of slow-moving rivers and bays along the western coast of North America. White sturgeon can grow up to 6.1 m long and weigh 816 kg. It feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans and mollusks.

4. Chinese paddlefish

The Chinese paddlefish or psefur is a freshwater fish that lives only in the Yangtze River, sometimes swims in large lakes and the Yellow Sea. Their body length can exceed 3 meters, weight 300 kilograms. There is information that in the 1950s, fishermen caught a paddlefish 7 meters long and weighing about 500 kg, although the reliability of this story is unconfirmed. Feeds on fish and crustaceans. Its meat and caviar are highly valued in China.

3. Giant freshwater stingray

The giant freshwater stingray (Himantura polylepis) is a species of freshwater stingray that lives in the tropical waters of several major rivers in Indochina and Kalimantan. Able to grow up to 1.9 m wide and weigh 600 kg. They feed mainly on crustaceans and mollusks, possibly earthworms. The giant freshwater stingray is not aggressive, although they must be handled with care as their venomous long spike can easily pierce human bone. This species is endangered.

2. Mississippi cuirass

The Mississippi shell or alligator pike is a species of large freshwater fish common in the valley of the lower Mississippi River and its tributaries in North and Central America. This is a very fast and strong, but shy fish. According to experts, the Mississippian shell can grow up to 3 m in length and weigh more than 130 kg. In 2011, the largest carapace caught was officially registered, its length was 2.572 m, weight 148 kg. It feeds mainly on fish, small mammals, birds, turtles, etc. There are known cases of attacks on children, fortunately, they never ended fatally. Included in the list of prehistoric fish that were considered extinct.

1. Giant shilb catfish

The giant shilb catfish is the largest endangered freshwater fish. It is found only in the lower reaches of the Mekong River, as well as in the Tonle Sap River and Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia. Fish of this species can grow up to 3 meters in length and weigh 150-200 kg. They are herbivorous - they feed mainly on algae and phytoplankton. The largest specimen caught in 2005 reached a length of 2.7 m and weighed 293 kg, it was he who was recognized as the largest freshwater fish caught by man.

The ocean is not the only place where you can find large representatives different types. Beneath the murky waters of our freshwater rivers and lakes lurk 11 giant freshwater fish.

While most freshwater fish are small to medium in size compared to their counterparts in salt water seas and oceans, there are some that can grow to gigantic sizes. You need to think carefully about whether you are ready to meet these freshwater giants.

Here are 11 freshwater giant fish.

Beluga

This giant fish should not be confused with the beluga (a type of toothed whale), which has nothing to do with the beluga. This fish is included in the IUCN Red Book, is one of the sturgeon species that inhabits the rivers and seas of central Eurasia (Caspian, Black, Azov).

Since the beluga continues to grow throughout its life, it can be called the largest freshwater fish in the world. The largest of these giants reached a length of up to 9.15 meters and weighed more than 2730 kg. Such numbers also make beluga worthy competitors for the title of the largest bony fish in the world by mass.

catfish

This fish is one of the largest freshwater species. Catfish is found in many European rivers and successfully lives and breeds also in lakes. It is practically blind and relies on a highly developed sense of smell and long, sensitive whiskers. They help catfish find dead, sick or injured fish. Rows of sandpaper-like teeth allow the catfish to grab and hold prey before it can crush and swallow it. There are such large catfish that grow up to 3.5 m and weigh up to 300 kg.

Mississippi cuirass

With a double row of large teeth and an alligator-like snout, these carnivorous fish may well be the most feared inhabitants that lurk in the rivers of North America. With a length of up to 3 meters, the Mississippian shell can survive without water for two hours.

Found in the lower Mississippi Basin and in the waters of all the Gulf Coast countries, this terrible fish tends to swim near the surface or among the reeds, where it can lie in wait, lying in wait for prey. Despite its intimidating appearance, the Mississippian shell is passive towards humans.

Arapaima

The list of 11 freshwater giant fish continues with the prehistoric monster - Arapaima. Living in the Amazon, these giant fish are very ancient and large. They are able to grow in length over 3.2 meters. Arapaima are such ancient fish that they are considered living fossils.

These fish are also incredible jumpers, and can jump above the water if they feel threatened. Unfortunately, it is now a very rare species and there are very few records of its size.

Giant freshwater stingray

This intimidating freshwater fish can grow to enormous sizes, weighing over 455kg, the giant freshwater stingray is about 4.6m across.

Found in the rivers of Southeast Asia, it has a very sharp toothed spike on its tail that can be up to 38 cm long and can easily cause permanent injury.

Unfortunately, like most amazing freshwater species, the giant freshwater stingray is endangered and endemic to Southeast Asia.

paddlefish

These river giants are easily recognizable by the shape of their paddle-like muzzle. Sturgeon paddlefish are harmless filter feeders that use their unusual and large enough mouth to feed on zooplankton.

Only two types of these have survived today. unique fish: The Chinese paddlefish Psephur and the American paddlefish, often referred to simply as the paddlefish. Psephur, who inhabited the Yangtze River, reached 7 m in length. American paddlefish living in Mississippi (once lived in the area) can grow up to 2 meters and weigh about 90 kg.

Carp

All subspecies of carp can grow to a respectable size. Usually found in lakes and ponds with stagnant water, but can successfully exist in rivers. Carp does not have digestive glands, therefore it is distinguished by amazing voracity. It feeds almost continuously throughout the day.

In a nutshell, carps can be described as “powerful centenarians” - there have been cases of catching specimens that were over 40 years old and weighed more than 40 kg.

white sturgeon

The largest freshwater fish in North America is the white sturgeon, which can grow to an incredible 6m in length.

The white sturgeon, which lives along the western coast of North America, is one of those ancient fish that have retained their shape for more than 175 million years. Due to the excessive curiosity of fishermen, some white sturgeon populations are endangered.

Nile perch

Native to the tropical rivers and lakes of Africa, the Nile perch is Africa's largest freshwater fish. With a giant mouth, the Nile perch reaches 1.8 m in length.

The appearance of rumors about river monsters in a particular area causes twofold emotions. On the one hand, over time, they begin to acquire even more rumors, often exaggerated ones, they inspire fear in local residents. On the other hand, a hunting instinct, or rather a fishing instinct, wakes up in a person - if only to catch such a fish.

So what representatives of the water sea are in the top river fish and which of them is the champion in size and weight?

Top 10 largest freshwater fish

It turns out that not only giant creatures are found in the ocean, they can be found everywhere in the rivers, lakes of our country, as well as in other parts of the planet. In particular, the top ten includes:

1. Beluga.
2. Giant freshwater stingray.
3. Alligator garfish.
4. White sturgeon.
5. Bull shark.
6. Paddlefish.
7. Nile perch.
8. Indian carp.
9. Siberian taimen.

In the first place in the top fish of the world is the absolute record holder in terms of weight and size, and in the last place is the smallest of the largest inhabitants of the river water world

The fishermen had no idea...

Siberian taimen is also called Siberian salmon, and it is the largest representative of this species. Its weight usually ranges from fifteen to thirty kilograms. But there was a case when in Russia a specimen weighing about 10 kilograms was caught from the Kotui River.

We are all familiar with such types of fish as carp and perch. But even many experienced fishermen will probably be surprised to learn how big they can grow. In particular, the Indian carp, or as it is also called, Patlya, sometimes reaches a length of 180-182 cm, so it is not in vain that it is included in the top of the longest fish. And, of course, for many fishermen it will be a discovery that perch, which is rarely caught more than a kilogram, and such specimens are already considered trophy ones, can weigh about 180 kilograms and be 1.8 meters long. True, such fish are found only in the Nile, Congo and Sinegal.

But about the fact that catfish are huge, probably many have heard. These fish weighing 90-100 kg are considered "average", while the record holder is a specimen of 227 kg. The paddlefish, which lives in the rivers of the United States, weighs almost the same - fish exotic look with a long nose.

Included in the top of the heaviest fish and bull shark. Yes, yes, do not be surprised, sharks can also be river. This variety can reach three meters and weigh 312 kilograms. But even it was overtaken in length by the white sturgeon, the length of the record representative of the sturgeon genus is four meters, and the weight is 485 kilograms! By the way, this fish lives up to a hundred years.

Also in the top of giant freshwater fish is the alligator garfish. The length of the average specimen is up to three meters, the weight is 140 kilograms, and the record alligators can weigh up to five hundred kilograms. Even more in weight are freshwater giant stingrays, from five hundred to six hundred kilograms.

And in the first place in the top of the largest freshwater fish is the beluga. There is evidence that the largest representative of this species weighed ... 1580 meters! Its length was 7.5 meters. And this is precisely about the caught fish (although it is difficult to imagine what exactly it was pulled with - probably by a tanker). Belugas live up to 120 years.

Top largest freshwater fish updated: March 4, 2016 by: Anna Volosovets