Fish That Start With H [Full List]

As we explore the various nooks and crannies of the ocean, we will discover an incredible array of fish species, each with their own unique characteristics and quirks.

From the sleek and powerful hake, to the brightly colored humuhumunukunukuapua’a, these fish are sure to capture our imaginations and leave us in awe of the diversity of life beneath the waves.

So, buckle up and don your scuba gear, as we embark on a journey through the incredible world of fish that start with the letter “H”. From the mundane to the magnificent, we will explore them all!

Fish That Start With H

As diverse as the fish world may be, each species offers its own unique and fascinating characteristics that make them a wonder to behold. Whether it’s their physical adaptations, feeding habits, or cultural significance, these fish serve as a testament to the incredible biodiversity of our planet’s waters.

Haddock

Behold, the haddock! This splendid fish belongs to the cod family and is found in the chilly waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. With a distinct black lateral line and a silvery belly, the haddock is a sight to behold. Known for its mild, sweet taste and tender texture, the haddock is a popular food fish that can be cooked in many ways. From fish and chips to stews, the haddock has proven its versatility in the culinary world. Fun fact: the haddock is the preferred fish used in the traditional Scottish dish “Cullen skink”, a soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions.

Hagfish

Don’t let the name fool you! The hagfish is a unique creature that has been around for over 300 million years. Sometimes called the “slime eel”, the hagfish is not a true eel but rather a jawless fish that can grow up to a foot long. With its slimy, mucous-covered body and unusual feeding habits, the hagfish has captured the attention of scientists and marine enthusiasts alike. Interestingly, the hagfish can produce copious amounts of slime as a defense mechanism, making it difficult for predators to attack. The slime also helps to suffocate any unwanted visitors that may try to invade its space.

Hairtail

Let me introduce you to the hairtail, a slender, elongated fish that inhabits the coastal waters of Asia and Australia. This fish can grow up to 2 meters long and has a distinctive silver color with black markings on its sides. The hairtail is a popular food fish in many Asian countries and is often grilled or fried to perfection. With its delicate, white flesh and mild flavor, the hairtail is a great addition to any seafood lover’s palate. Fun fact: the hairtail is also known as the “belly fish” due to its flattened body and upward-facing mouth.

Hake

If you’re looking for a delicious and sustainable fish, then look no further than the hake! This fish is found in the waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans and is a popular food fish in many countries. With its delicate, white flesh and mild, slightly sweet flavor, the hake is a great alternative to other more commonly consumed fish. Hake is also a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other important nutrients, making it a healthy addition to any diet. Fun fact: the hake is also used in the production of fishmeal, which is used to feed other farmed fish.

Halfbeak

The halfbeak, also known as the “flying fish”, is a unique creature that can be found in the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. With its distinct half-moon shaped body and elongated lower jaw, the halfbeak is a fascinating fish to observe. The halfbeak is known for its ability to “fly” above the water’s surface for short distances, making it a favorite of fishermen and marine enthusiasts alike. Interestingly, the halfbeak feeds on plankton and small crustaceans that it captures using its protruding lower jaw.

Halfmoon

The halfmoon is a striking fish with a distinctive crescent-shaped body and bold black and yellow markings. Found in the warm waters of the western Atlantic, the halfmoon is a popular aquarium fish due to its vibrant colors and active behavior. This fish is also known for its jumping abilities and can often be seen leaping out of the water in the wild. In terms of diet, the halfmoon feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and algae. Fun fact: the halfmoon is also known as the “yellow belly damselfish” due to its  distinctive yellow coloring on its underbelly.

Halibut

The halibut is a large, flatfish that can be found in the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans. With its distinctive diamond-shaped body and large, expressive eyes, the halibut is a fascinating fish to observe. This fish can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh over 500 pounds, making it one of the largest flatfish in the world. Known for its firm, white flesh and mild, sweet taste, the halibut is a popular food fish that can be cooked in many ways. From grilling to baking, the halibut is a versatile fish that can be enjoyed by seafood lovers everywhere.

Halosaur

The halosaur is a deep-sea fish that can be found in the cold waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With its elongated body and small, needle-like teeth, the halosaur is a fascinating fish to study. This fish can grow up to 2 meters long and is a valuable food source for many deep-sea creatures. Interestingly, the halosaur has a unique adaptation that allows it to survive in the harsh, deep-sea environment. Its bones are filled with a gelatinous substance that helps to prevent them from collapsing under the extreme pressure of the deep-sea environment.

Hamlet

The hamlet is a beautiful fish that can be found in the coral reefs of the western Atlantic. With its distinctive black spot on its dorsal fin and striking blue and yellow markings, the hamlet is a favorite of divers and aquarium enthusiasts alike. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and can be quite aggressive towards other fish that encroach on its territory. The hamlet is also known for its ability to change color depending on its mood and environment, making it a truly fascinating fish to observe.

Hammerhead Shark

The hammerhead shark is one of the most recognizable sharks in the world due to its unique, hammer-shaped head. Found in the warm waters of the world’s oceans, the hammerhead shark is a formidable predator that feeds on a variety of fish, squid, and octopus. This shark can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh over 1,000 pounds, making it one of the largest sharks in the world. Interestingly, the hammerhead’s unique head shape allows it to have a wider field of vision than other sharks, making it a more effective hunter.

Hammerjaw

The hammerjaw, also known as the “Atlantic sawtail catshark”, is a small shark that can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean. With its distinctive saw-like lower jaw and small, beady eyes, the hammerjaw is a fascinating fish to observe. This shark feeds on a variety of small fish and invertebrates and is often caught by fishermen as a bycatch. Interestingly, the hammerjaw has a unique reproductive strategy where the male will bite the female during mating and will remain attached for an extended period of time.

Handfish

The handfish is a unique fish that can be found in the coastal waters of Australia and Tasmania. With its distinctive “hand-like” fins, the handfish is a fascinating fish to observe. This fish can walk along the seafloor using its modified fins, making it one of the few fish in the world that can walk on land. The handfish is also known for its unique reproductive strategy where the female will lay a single egg at a time and the male will guard and protect the egg until it hatches.

Hardhead Catfish

The hardhead catfish is a common fish that can be found in the coastal waters of the western Atlantic. With its small, flat body and distinctive barbels, the hardhead catfish is a fascinating fish to observe.

This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and can be caught by fishermen using bait or lures. Interestingly, the hardhead catfish has a unique adaptation where it can survive in both fresh and saltwater environments, making it a highly adaptable species. While not commonly sought after for its meat, the hardhead catfish can be cooked and consumed, and is known for its mild, white flesh.

Harelip Sucker

The harelip sucker, also known as the “paddlefish”, is a freshwater fish that can be found in the rivers and lakes of North America. With its elongated, paddle-shaped snout and small, beady eyes, the harelip sucker is a unique and fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and is often caught by fishermen for its caviar, which is considered a delicacy in many cultures. Interestingly, the harelip sucker has a long lifespan and can live up to 50 years in the wild.

Hatchetfish

The hatchetfish is a small, deep-sea fish that can be found in the world’s oceans. With its distinctive, hatchet-shaped body and large, reflective eyes, the hatchetfish is a fascinating fish to study. This fish is able to emit its own light through a process known as bioluminescence, making it one of the few fish in the world that can produce its own light. The hatchetfish is also known for its unique swimming behavior, where it will swim in a vertical position with its body parallel to the surface of the water.

Hawkfish

The hawkfish is a colorful fish that can be found in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific. With its distinctive, spiky dorsal fin and bold red, orange, and yellow markings, the hawkfish is a striking and beautiful fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and can be quite territorial towards other fish that encroach on its space. Interestingly, the hawkfish has the ability to change color depending on its mood and environment, making it a truly fascinating fish to observe.

Herring

The herring is a small, oily fish that can be found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With its silver, streamlined body and small, sharp teeth, the herring is a fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and is a valuable food source for many marine mammals, birds, and larger fish. The herring is also an important commercial fishery and is used in a variety of products, including smoked herring, pickled herring, and herring roe.

Herring Smelt

The herring smelt, also known as the “Osmeriformes”, is a small, silvery fish that can be found in the coastal waters of the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With its streamlined body and small, toothless mouth, the herring smelt is a fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and is often caught by fishermen using nets or traps. Interestingly, the herring smelt has a unique adaptation where it is able to tolerate both fresh and saltwater environments.

Hickory Shad

The hickory shad is a small, migratory fish that can be found in the eastern coast of North America. With its streamlined body and silver scales, the hickory shad is a fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and is often caught by fishermen using small lures or flies. The hickory shad is also known for its unique spawning behavior, where it will swim upriver in large schools to spawn in shallow freshwater areas. Interestingly, the hickory shad is an important cultural and culinary resource in many regions of the eastern United States, where it is often smoked or pickled and served as a delicacy.

Hillstream Loach

The hillstream loach is a small, freshwater fish that can be found in the fast-moving streams and rivers of Southeast Asia. With its flattened, disc-shaped body and small, sucker-like mouth, the hillstream loach is a unique and fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and algae, and is often used in aquariums due to its hardy nature and ability to thrive in a variety of water conditions.

Hog Sucker

The hog sucker, also known as the “hog nose sucker”, is a freshwater fish that can be found in the rivers and streams of North America. With its elongated, cylindrical body and unique, pig-like snout, the hog sucker is a fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and algae, and is often caught by fishermen using bait or lures. Interestingly, the hog sucker has a unique adaptation where it can live in areas with low oxygen levels, making it a highly adaptable species.

Hoki

The hoki, also known as the “blue grenadier”, is a deep-sea fish that can be found in the waters surrounding New Zealand and southern Australia. With its elongated, silver body and large, expressive eyes, the hoki is a fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small fish and crustaceans, and is often caught by commercial fishermen for its firm, white flesh, which is used in a variety of seafood products.

Horn Shark

The horn shark is a small, bottom-dwelling shark that can be found in the coastal waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. With its flattened, triangular body and distinctive, horn-like spines on its dorsal fin, the horn shark is a unique and fascinating fish to observe. This shark feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and crustaceans, and is often caught accidentally by fishermen targeting other species. Interestingly, the horn shark has the ability to inflate its stomach with water to deter predators, making it a highly adaptable species.

Horsefish

The horsefish, also known as the “seahorse”, is a small, bony fish that can be found in the tropical and temperate waters around the world. With its unique, horse-like head and long, prehensile tail, the horsefish is a fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and plankton, and is often used in traditional medicine and as a decorative item in aquariums. Interestingly, the horsefish has a unique reproductive system, where the male carries the fertilized eggs in a special pouch on his abdomen.

Houndshark

The houndshark is a small, coastal shark that can be found in the warm waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. With its elongated body and unique, flattened head, the houndshark is a fascinating fish to observe. This shark feeds on a variety of small fish and crustaceans, and is often caught by commercial fishermen for its meat and oil.

Huchen

The huchen, also known as the “Danube salmon”, is a large freshwater fish that can be found in the rivers of Central Europe. With its streamlined body and powerful tail, the huchen is a formidable predator that feeds on a variety of fish and crustaceans. This fish is often targeted by sport fishermen due to its size and strength, and is considered a prized catch in many regions.

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a

The humuhumunukunukuapua’a, also known as the “reef triggerfish”, is a small, brightly colored fish that can be found in the shallow waters around Hawaii and the South Pacific. With its unique, triangular shape and vibrant blue and green coloring, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a is a highly recognizable fish. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and algae, and is often kept as a decorative species in aquariums due to its striking appearance.

Hussar

The hussar, also known as the “red bream”, is a small, coastal fish that can be found in the waters surrounding Europe and North Africa. With its distinctive, red coloring and elongated body, the hussar is a unique and fascinating fish to observe. This fish feeds on a variety of small invertebrates and crustaceans, and is often caught by commercial fishermen for its delicate, white flesh. Interestingly, the hussar has a unique adaptation where it can live in areas with low oxygen levels, making it a highly adaptable species.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our journey through the world of fish that start with the letter “H” has been nothing short of spectacular. From the curious harelip sucker to the fearsome hammerhead shark, we have seen an incredible range of shapes, sizes, and behaviors among these aquatic creatures. Through our exploration of these species, we have gained a newfound appreciation for the complexity and diversity of life beneath the waves.

So, let us continue to marvel at the wonders of the ocean and strive to protect and preserve these incredible creatures for generations to come. Who knows what other hidden treasures await us in the vast and mysterious world of the sea?