Fish That Start With D [Full List]

From the daring Dorado to the delightful Dottyback, there’s no shortage of fascinating fish to discover in this category. So grab your fishing gear, and let’s get started!

In this article, we’ll be exploring the diverse range of fish species that all share one thing in common – their names begin with the letter D.

From the vibrant colors of the Discus to the menacing jaws of the Daggertooth Pike Conger, we’ll be exploring the unique characteristics of each fish and their natural habitats. So whether you’re an avid angler or a curious hobbyist, there’s something for everyone in this exciting exploration of Fish That Start With D.

Fish Names Starting With D At A Glance

In total, we found 44 fish names starting with the D alphabet. And here’s the list.

1. Dab
2. Dace
3. Daggertooth Pike Conger
4. Damselfish
5. Danio
6. Darter
7. Dartfish
8. Dealfish
9. Death Valley Pupfish
10. Deep Sea Eel
11. Deep Sea Smelt
12. Deepwater Cardinalfish
13. Deepwater Flathead
14. Deepwater Stingray
15. Delta Smelt
16. Demoiselle
17. Denticle Herring
18. Desert Pupfish
19. Devario
20. Devil Ray
21. Dhufish
22. Discus
23. Dogfish
24. Dogfish Shark
25. Dogteeth Tetra
26. Dojo Loach
27. Dolly Varden Trout
28. Dolphin Fish
29. Dorab Wolf-Herring
30. Dorado
31. Dory
32. Dottyback
33. Dragonet
34. Dragonfish
35. Dragon Goby
36. Driftfish
37. Driftwood Catfish
38. Drum
39. Duckbill
40. Duckbill Eel
41. Dusky Grouper
42. Dusky Shark
43. Dwarf Gourami
44. Dwarf Loach

Fish That Start With D

With the diversity of fish species in the world, each one has its own unique characteristics and behavior. Whether you are a recreational angler, a chef looking for the perfect ingredient, or an aquarium hobbyist, there is always a fish that can capture your interest and imagination.

Dab

Dab, a flatfish belonging to the family Pleuronectidae, is a demersal species found in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. This species has a flat, oval-shaped body and is usually brownish-grey in color with dark spots on the upper side. Dab feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and worms, and is an important commercial fish in Europe. It is commonly caught using bottom trawls and gillnets.

Dace

Dace, a freshwater fish found in Europe and Asia, is a member of the carp family. It has a streamlined body, typically silver or bronze in color, and can grow up to 30 cm in length. Dace is a popular game fish, often caught using bait such as maggots or small worms, and is also commonly used as bait for larger predatory fish.

Daggertooth Pike Conger

Daggertooth Pike Conger, a deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic Ocean, is a member of the conger eel family. This species has a long, slender body, and is typically grey or brown in color. Its sharp, dagger-like teeth give it its name. Daggertooth Pike Conger feeds on other fish and cephalopods, and is often caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawling operations.

Damselfish

Damselfish, a colorful reef fish found in tropical and subtropical waters, is a member of the Pomacentridae family. It has a small, oval-shaped body, and is typically brightly colored, with blue, green, or yellow hues. Damselfish feeds on plankton and small invertebrates, and is often found in large schools around coral reefs.

Danio

Danio, a small freshwater fish found in Southeast Asia, is a member of the Cyprinidae family. This species has a long, slender body and is typically silver or gold in color with blue or green stripes. Danio feeds on small invertebrates and is often kept as a popular aquarium fish due to its hardiness and attractive appearance.

Darter

Darter, a freshwater fish found in North America, is a member of the Percidae family. It has a streamlined body, typically brown or green in color, and can grow up to 20 cm in length. Darter feeds on small invertebrates and is often found in fast-flowing streams and rivers.

Dartfish

Dartfish, a marine fish found in tropical and subtropical waters, is a member of the Apogonidae family. It has a small, slender body and is typically brightly colored with yellow, red, or orange hues. Dartfish feeds on plankton and small invertebrates, and is often found in pairs or small groups hiding in crevices or burrows in coral reefs.

Dealfish

Dealfish, a deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic Ocean, is a member of the Trachipteridae family. It has a long, slender body and is typically black or dark brown in color. Dealfish feeds on plankton and small fish, and is often caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawling operations.

Death Valley Pupfish

Death Valley Pupfish, a small freshwater fish found in the hot springs and salt pans of Death Valley in California, is a member of the Cyprinodontidae family. This species has a small, streamlined body and is typically blue-green in color. Death Valley Pupfish feeds on algae and small invertebrates, and is adapted to survive in extreme conditions of high salinity and temperature.

Deep Sea Eel

Deep

Sea Eel, a type of eel found in deep ocean waters, belongs to the family Ophichthidae. This species has a long, snake-like body, and can grow up to 3 meters in length. Deep Sea Eel is typically brown or black in color and feeds on small fish and invertebrates. They are known to migrate to shallower waters during the spawning season.

Deep Sea Smelt

Deep Sea Smelt, a small fish found in the deep waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is a member of the family Bathylagidae. This species has a slender, elongated body, and is typically silver or brown in color. Deep Sea Smelt feeds on plankton and small crustaceans and is an important prey species for larger fish such as tuna and cod.

Deepwater Cardinalfish

Deepwater Cardinalfish, a small fish found in the deep waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is a member of the family Apogonidae. This species has a small, colorful body, and is typically red, pink, or orange in color. Deepwater Cardinalfish feeds on plankton and small invertebrates, and is often found in large schools near coral reefs.

Deepwater Flathead

Deepwater Flathead, a demersal fish found in the waters off Australia and New Zealand, is a member of the Platycephalidae family. It has a flattened, broad head and a large mouth with sharp teeth. Deepwater Flathead feeds on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, and is an important commercial species in the region.

Deepwater Stingray

Deepwater Stingray, a large stingray found in the deep waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is a member of the Dasyatidae family. This species has a diamond-shaped body and a long, whip-like tail with a venomous spine. Deepwater Stingray feeds on small fish and crustaceans, and is often caught as bycatch in deep-sea trawling operations.

Delta Smelt

Delta Smelt, a small freshwater fish found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in California, is a member of the Osmeridae family. This species has a slender, silvery body, and is typically less than 10 cm in length. Delta Smelt feeds on plankton and small invertebrates, and is an important prey species for larger fish such as salmon and striped bass.

Demoiselle

Demoiselle, a colorful reef fish found in tropical and subtropical waters, is a member of the Pomacentridae family. It has a small, oval-shaped body, and is typically blue or green in color with yellow or orange accents. Demoiselle feeds on plankton and small invertebrates, and is often found in large schools around coral reefs.

Denticle Herring

Denticle Herring, a small fish found in the waters off Australia and New Zealand, is a member of the Clupeidae family. This species has a slender, silvery body, and is typically less than 10 cm in length. Denticle Herring feeds on plankton and small invertebrates, and is an important prey species for larger fish such as tuna and marlin.

Desert Pupfish

Desert Pupfish, a small freshwater fish found in the desert regions of North America, is a member of the Cyprinodontidae family. This species has a small, streamlined body and is typically blue or green in color. Desert Pupfish feeds on algae and small invertebrates and is adapted to survive in extreme conditions of low oxygen and high salinity.

Devario

Devario, also known as Danios, are a popular freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby. They belong to the family Cyprinidae and are native to South and Southeast Asia. Devario have a slender, streamlined body, and are typically silver or gold in color with black stripes. They are active and hardy fish that prefer a planted aquarium and feed on a variety of small insects and crustaceans.

Devil Ray

Devil Ray, also known as Mobula rays, are a group of cartilaginous fish found in warm and tropical waters around the world. They belong to the family Myliobatidae and have a flattened body with large, triangular pectoral fins. Devil Ray feeds on plankton and small fish, and are known for their acrobatic leaps out of the water.

Dhufish

Dhufish, a large, predatory fish found in the coastal waters of Australia and New Zealand, is a member of the family Glaucosomatidae. This species has a thick, muscular body, and is typically dark brown or black in color with a large mouth and sharp teeth. Dhufish feeds on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods and is highly sought after by recreational anglers.

Discus

Discus, a popular freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby, is a member of the Cichlidae family and is native to the Amazon River Basin in South America. Discus has a disk-shaped body, and is typically red, blue, or green in color with vertical stripes. They are peaceful fish that require a well-maintained aquarium with soft, acidic water and a varied diet of live and frozen foods.

Dogfish

Dogfish, a group of small sharks found in temperate and cold waters around the world, belongs to the family Squalidae. They have a long, slender body with two dorsal fins and sharp teeth. Dogfish feeds on small fish and invertebrates, and are often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing operations.

Dogfish Shark

Dogfish Shark, also known as spiny dogfish, is a small shark found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. It belongs to the family Squalidae and has a slender, grayish-brown body with sharp spines on its dorsal fins. Dogfish Shark feeds on small fish and invertebrates, and is often caught for its meat and liver oil.

Dogteeth Tetra

Dogteeth Tetra, a small freshwater fish found in the Amazon River Basin in South America, is a member of the Characidae family. This species has a small, streamlined body and is typically silver or gold in color with black markings on its fins. Dogteeth Tetra feeds on small insects and crustaceans and is popular in the aquarium hobby due to its peaceful nature and colorful appearance.

Dojo Loach

Dojo Loach, also known as weather loach, is a freshwater fish found in Asia. It belongs to the family Cobitidae and has a long, slender body with two pairs of barbels around its mouth. Dojo Loach feeds on small invertebrates and algae and is known for its ability to detect changes in barometric pressure and respond to impending storms.

Dolly Varden Trout

Dolly Varden Trout, a species of char found in cold, freshwater streams and rivers in North America, is a member of the Salmonidae family. This species has a slender, torpedo-shaped body and is typically olive or brown in color with pink or red spots. Dolly Varden Trout feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is popular among anglers for its aggressive nature and strong fighting ability.

Dolphin Fish

Dolphin Fish, also known as mahi-mahi or dorado, is a warm-water, open-ocean fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It belongs to the family Coryphaenidae and has a slender, streamlined body with a long dorsal fin. Dolphin Fish feeds on a variety of small fish and squid and is popular among recreational anglers for its acrobatic jumps and strong fighting ability.

Dorab Wolf-Herring

Dorab Wolf-Herring, a large predatory fish found in the coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, is a member of the Chirocentridae family. This species has a silver or gray body with a pointed snout and sharp teeth. Dorab Wolf-Herring feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is popular among recreational anglers in Asia and Australia.

Dorado

Dorado, also known as mahi-mahi or dolphin fish, is a warm-water, open-ocean fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It belongs to the family Coryphaenidae and has a slender, streamlined body with a long dorsal fin. Dorado feeds on a variety of small fish and squid and is popular among recreational anglers for its acrobatic jumps and strong fighting ability.

Dory

Dory, also known as John Dory, is a saltwater fish found in the coastal waters of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. It belongs to the family Zeidae and has a flat, disc-shaped body with a large head and eyes. Dory feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is popular among anglers and chefs for its firm, white flesh and mild flavor.

Dottyback

Dottyback, a group of small, colorful saltwater fish found in coral reefs throughout the world, belongs to the family Pseudochromidae. They have a slender, elongated body and are typically bright red, orange, or purple in color. Dottyback feeds on small invertebrates and is popular among marine aquarium hobbyists for their vibrant colors and bold personalities.

Dragonet

Dragonet, also known as mandarinfish, is a small, colorful saltwater fish found in the coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean. It belongs to the family Callionymidae and has a slender, elongated body with large, fan-like fins. Dragonet feeds on small invertebrates and is popular among marine aquarium hobbyists for its stunning colors and unique appearance.

Dragonfish

Dragonfish, a group of deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, belongs to the family Stomiidae. They have a long, slender body with large, sharp teeth and a photophore on their chin that emits light to attract prey. Dragonfish feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is known for its bioluminescence and unique adaptations to the extreme pressures of the deep sea.

Dragon Goby

Dragon Goby, also known as violet goby, is a freshwater fish found in the rivers of Southeast Asia. It belongs to the family Gobiidae and has a long, slender body with a pointed snout and small fins. Dragon Goby feeds on small invertebrates and is popular among aquarium hobbyists for its unique appearance and peaceful demeanor.

Driftfish

Driftfish, a group of deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, belongs to the family Nomeidae. They have a slender, elongated body with large, fan-like fins and are typically silver or blue in color. Driftfish feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is known for its unique adaptations to the extreme pressures and currents of the open ocean.

Driftwood Catfish

Driftwood Catfish, also known as twig catfish, is a freshwater fish found in the rivers of South America. It belongs to the family Auchenipteridae and has a slender, elongated body with a brown or black coloration that helps it blend in with its surroundings. Driftwood Catfish feeds on small invertebrates and is popular among aquarium hobbyists for its unique appearance and peaceful demeanor.

Drum

Drum, a group of saltwater and freshwater fish found in North and South America, belongs to the family Sciaenidae. They have a thick, cylindrical body with a blunt head and large scales. Drum feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is popular among recreational anglers for its strong fighting ability and delicious flesh.

Duckbill

Duckbill, also known as duckbill eel or slipper eel, is a deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. It belongs to the family Nemichthyidae and has a long, slender body with a pointed snout and small fins. Duckbill feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is known for its unique appearance and elusive nature.

Duckbill Eel

Duckbill Eel, also known as duckbill or slipper eel, is a deep-sea fish found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. It belongs to the family Nemichthyidae and has a long, slender body with a pointed snout and small fins. Duckbill Eel feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is known for its unique appearance and elusive nature.

Dusky Grouper

Dusky Grouper, a large saltwater fish found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean, belongs to the family Serranidae. They have a thick, cylindrical body with a large mouth and sharp teeth. Dusky Grouper feeds on small fish and invertebrates and is popular among recreational anglers and chefs for its delicious flesh.

Dusky Shark

Dusky Shark, a large, predatory shark found in the coastal waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, belongs to the family Carcharhinidae. They have a gray or brown coloration and a stout body with a pointed snout and sharp teeth. Dusky Shark feeds on a variety of fish and invertebrates and is sometimes caught by commercial and recreational fishermen.

Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Gourami, a small freshwater fish found in the rivers of South Asia, belongs to the family Osphronemidae. They have a colorful body with a distinctive pattern of stripes and spots and a small, pointed head. Dwarf Gourami feeds on small invertebrates and is popular among aquarium hobbyists for its peaceful demeanor and vibrant colors.

Dwarf Loach

Dwarf Loach, also known as pygmy loach, is a small freshwater fish found in the rivers of Southeast Asia. It belongs to the family Botiidae and has a slender, elongated body with a pointed snout and small fins. Dwarf Loach feeds on small invertebrates and is popular among aquarium hobbyists for its unique appearance and peaceful demeanor.

What are the edible fish that begin with D?

Fish have always been an important source of food for humans, providing essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. In this list, there are several species of fish that are edible and enjoyed by people around the world. Let’s explore which fish in this list are safe and delicious to consume.

The following fish species are considered edible and can be consumed by humans: Dab, Dace, Damselfish, Delta smelt, Dolly Varden trout, Dolphin fish, Dorado, Dory, Drum, Dusky grouper, and Deep sea smelt.

These fish are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and can be cooked in a variety of ways such as grilling, frying, and baking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of Fish That Start With D is a fascinating and diverse one, full of vibrant colors, unique characteristics, and intriguing behavior. From the depths of the ocean to the calm waters of freshwater streams, these fish inhabit a range of environments, each with their own set of challenges and opportunities.

Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or a curious observer, exploring the world of Fish That Start With D is an exciting journey that’s sure to captivate your imagination. So go ahead, cast your line, and see what you can catch – who knows what wonders you might discover in the world of Fish That Start With D!