Top 10 Fastest Fish In The Ocean

Clearly, speed is one of the most useful surviving skills in the animal species. Although almost all fish have streamlined body shape, powerful muscles and fins, some of them stand above from the others. Here is a list of top 10 fastest fish in the ocean.

1. Sailfish

The sailfish that live in the Indian and Pacific oceans has been recognized as the fastest marine animal in the Guinness World Records, with a max swimming speed of 190 km/h. Sailfish gets its name from the dorsal fin, which looks like a sail. It is able to move forward quickly like an arrow thanks to its streamlined body, well-developed muscles, and strong waving force.

2. Marlin

Marlin is one of the largest and fastest fishes in the ocean. There is a spur that is about 1/3 the length of the its whole body. They can be found in the temperate to tropical Indo-Pacific oceans. Although there is some disagreement regarding the marlin's actual speed, more conservative estimates indicate that it swims at a speed of 20-30 miles per hour, with the ability to swim even faster when necessary.

3. Wahoo

Wahoo, sometimes called Ono and Peto, is a fish that lives in tropical and subtropical seas. Approximately 200 pounds and up to 8 feet long, Wahoo is a slender tropical fish with a beautiful blue sheen and a dorsal fin that resembles a sail. According to some reports, Wahoo can swim at the top speed of 50 mph, but its normal cruising speed may be slower.

4. Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin tuna has ideal hydrodynamic structure and efficient power that make it possible to swim at a speed of 70 km/h. Unfortunately, despite of the fact that bluefin tuna can swim much more quickly than others, it still cannot escape becoming a food for human. Overfishing has made bluefin tuna an endangered species that is in danger of going extinct.

5. Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna is a kind of the tuna species, they prefer mackerel, flying fish, crabs, squid, and crustaceans for food. As one of the fastest fish, they can swim at a speed of 80 km/h. The main characteristic that sets yellowfin tuna apart from other fish is its immense size and distinguished color --a a yellow anal fin as well as some yellow-white lines one its gray-blue body.

6. Blue Shark

Blue sharks are capable of swimming at a speed of 70 km/h. They have a long life span of about 30 years and generally live in tropical oceans. It is common to see blue sharks on the sea surface preying other smaller fisher or squids. Blue sharks are known for their long migrations, such as from New England to South America.

7. Bonefish

Bonefish gets the name for its numerous bones, and it has distinguishable black stripes on bright silver body. This medium-sized fish is normally about 19 inches long, usually move in large schools. As one of the fastest fishes in the ocean, bonefish is capable of reaching speeds of 64 km/h.

8. Swordfish

Swordfish, the only surviving member of the Xiphiidae family, is known for its long, sword-like bill. There is a tall dorsal fin on swordfish's back. They are usually found in tropical and temperate waters of Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Although the accurate data is not certain, it's believed that they could swim at speed of 96 km/h at least.

9. Four-winged Flying Fish

The flying fish has the extraordinary capacity to leap out of the water, and glide through the air for some distances with the right tailwind. The 4 wing-like pectoral fins on the side of the body, along with the unique skeletal and muscular structures, are the key to its success. It is estimated that four-winged flying fish can reach a top speed of 56 km/h.

10. Bonito

The term "bonito" refers to a group of eight distinct fish species in the genus Sarda, which includes members of the mackerel family like the Atlantic bonito, striped bonito, and Pacific bonito. It is sleek, with strips on the streamlined body. This fish is agile and can leap out of the water at around 64km/h.