Explore 18 Fish That Start with X

Fish are incredibly diverse, with over 32,000 unique species found worldwide. In this article, we will explore 18 fish species with common names that start with the letter “X.” For each fish, we will provide a brief description and some interesting facts.

X-Ray Tetra (Pristella maxillaris)

The X-ray tetra is a small, see-through fish living in the Amazon River‘s coastal waters in South America. It also has distinct yellow, black, and white striped fins, which make it a favorite among fish keepers.

Xanthogramma Sandperch (Parapercis hexophtalma)

The xanthogramma sandperch, also known as spotted grubfish or weever fish, is a type of marine fish with a distinctive pattern of spots spread across its body. You can usually find them in areas with sandy or rocky surroundings that are close to coral reefs.

Xiphias gladius (Swordfish)

The swordfish, also known as Xiphias gladius, is a big carnivorous fish recognizable by its long, sword-shaped beak. They inhabit oceans worldwide and are a preferred target for recreational fishing because of their power and agility.

Xantic Sargo (Anisotremus davidsonii)

The xantic sargo is a Pacific Ocean saltwater fish from California to Baja California. They have a silver-gray color with a black spot near their tail, making them easy to identify.

Xenaploactis Asperrima (Rough Velvetfish)

The rough velvetfish, also known as Xenaploactis asperrima, is a small fish that lives at the bottom of the waters surrounding Australia and New Zealand. You can recognize them by their distinct physical features, which include their rough-textured body due to modified scales.

Xenichthys Xanti (Reaper)

This is a type of marine fish in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. It has an elongated body and a large upward-facing mouth. They usually have bright colors with blue, yellow, and silver shades. The reaper is also a very aggressive predator that feeds on other smaller fish.

Xenaploactis Anopta (Blind Velvetfish)

The blind velvetfish, also known as Xenaploactis anopta, is a tiny fish in the waters surrounding Australia. It lives on the ocean floor and has no eyes but instead relies on other sensory organs to help it move around its surroundings.

Xenotoca eiseni (Redtail Splitfin)

The redtail splitfin, or Xenotoca eiseni, is a colorful freshwater fish from Mexico. It is a small fish with a split dorsal fin and a bright red tail and it is very popular among people who keep fish in aquariums.

Xenocypris fangi (Fang’s Xenocypris)

The Xenocypris fangi is a type of freshwater fish in China. They have a long body and a unique color pattern, with dark vertical bars running down their sides.

Xenochromis hecqui (Hecq’s Xenochromis)

The Xenochromis hecqui is a cichlid fish originating from Lake Tanganyika in Africa. They are distinctive, with a prominent forehead hump and several dark vertical bars on their body.

Xanthichthys auromarginatus (Blue Throat Triggerfish)

The marine species known as the blue throat triggerfish, also recognized by the names bluechin triggerfish or gilded triggerfish, is a sea-dwelling creature with a hue that leans towards a muted brown interspersed with spots of a soft blue tone. Their fins boast a distinctive yellow border, and the males of this species display a vivid blue patch on their facial area, which has led to their monikers, Bluechin or Blue Throat. Their natural habitat is saline water bodies, and they thrive on a diverse intake of food rich in protein.

Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus (Blue Line Triggerfish)

The blue line triggerfish is a deep-sea marine fish with a unique appearance- it has an orange bar with blue edges from the eye to the pectoral fin base. Additionally, it has a white tail fin with a black trailing edge and red side. Its habitat is deep seaward reefs, and it mainly feeds on zooplankton.

Xanthichthys lineopunctatus (Striped Triggerfish)

The striped triggerfish is a distinct type of fish that is uncommon and inhabits offshore reefs. They are located above the seafloor but can still be observed fairly frequently. The fish is visually identifiable by its uneven, notched teeth and having five to six grooves on each cheek. They reproduce by laying eggs and primarily consume zooplankton.

Xanthichthys mento (Crosshatch Triggerfish)

The crosshatch triggerfish is a type of triggerfish in the Pacific Ocean. They usually live in outer-reef regions, and you can find them at depths ranging from 6 to 131 meters (20-430 feet). Their diet consists of zooplankton. These fish can reach a length of up to 29 cm (11 inches), and you can sometimes find them in the aquarium industry.

Xanthichthys ringens (Sargassum Triggerfish)

The Sargassum triggerfish is a marine fish in the Western Atlantic, ranging from North Carolina, USA, to Brazil. They inhabit seaward reef slopes, usually well below 30 meters, and are often among floating Sargassum seaweed. They feed on crabs, shrimp, sea urchins, and zooplankton.

Xenocypris davidi (David’s Xenocypris)

David’s Xenocypris is a freshwater fish species in China. They are characterized by their elongated body and distinctive color pattern, featuring a series of dark vertical bars along their sides.

Xenaploactis alvheimi (Alvheim’s Velvetfish)

Alvheim’s velvetfish is a small, bottom-dwelling fish found in the waters around Australia. They are known for their unique appearance, with a body covered in modified scales that give them a rough texture.

Xylacanthus grandis (Extinct Acanthodian)

Xylacanthus grandis is an extinct species of acanthodian fish. Acanthodians were a group of ancient jawed fish that lived during the Paleozoic Era, and Xylacanthus grandis is one of the many species discovered through fossil records.

The Largest Fish That Starts with X Is the Xiphactinus

The largest fish starting with the letter “X,” is the Xiphactinus. It existed during the Late Cretaceous period and is now extinct. This big carnivorous fish could grow up to 5-6 meters (16-20 feet) long. Its appearance was similar to a giant tarpon with fangs. This species has been found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. This large fish ate other smaller fishes and even small dinosaurs. It is believed to have become extinct due to environmental changes.

The Smallest Fish That Starts with X Is the X-Ray Tetra

The smallest fish starting with the letter “X” is the X-ray Tetra. This is a species of fish native to South America, and it grows up to around 2 cm in length. You can distinguish this tiny fish by its distinguished by its bright silver body and black spots along the sides. It prefers slow-moving waters, and it is an active swimming fish. It feeds on zooplankton, small worms, and insects. As with many other tetras, this species prefers to be kept in groups and is very peaceful towards other fish.

Conclusion

From the shimmering X-Ray Tetras to the majestic Xiphias Gladius, or the peculiar Xenaploactis Asperrima to the striking Xenichthys Xanti, it’s clear that the ‘X’ in the aquatic alphabet is anything but ordinary.

These fascinating creatures show the diversity of oceans, rivers, and reefs and remind us of the wonders of the water’s surface. So, the next time you’re by the water, remember — there’s a whole world of fish that start with ‘X’ out there. Until our next alphabetical adventure, happy fishing!

Summary of Fish That Start with the Letter X

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