45+ Fish That Start with N: Common and Scientific Names

The letter ‘N’ navigates a remarkable cross-section of the aquatic world, from the shimmering shoals of the tiny Neon Tetra to the solitary, immense Nile Perch.

This category is filled with fish whose names perfectly capture their nature: the sleek Needlefish with its spear-like body, the gentle Nurse Shark that rests on the seafloor, and the Northern Pike, a notorious predator of freshwater lakes. Read on to explore the notable species that make up the world of fish that start with N.

Common Fish Names That Start With N

This section features fish recognized by their common names that perfectly capture their most remarkable traits.

Needlefish (Family Belonidae)

The Needlefish is defined by its incredibly slender, elongated body and a long, narrow beak filled with needle-sharp teeth. This streamlined form makes it a highly effective surface predator, perfectly adapted for hunting small fish and crustaceans that live near the top of the water column. Its silvery coloration provides excellent camouflage, making it difficult to see from below against the bright sky.

These fish are known for making short, powerful leaps out of the water, especially when startled by boats or lights at night. This behavior, combined with their sharp beaks and high speed, can occasionally make them dangerous to humans, as accidental impalements have been known to occur. They are closely related to flying fish and halfbeaks, sharing a similar body plan built for life at the ocean’s surface.

Nile Perch (Lates niloticus)

The Nile Perch is a massive, powerful freshwater fish, reigning as the apex predator in its native habitat. It possesses a huge, cavernous mouth that allows it to inhale and swallow prey whole, and it has a voracious appetite for other fish, crustaceans, and insects. Its body is stocky and powerful, with a distinctive humped back and a dark, dusky coloration.

While a vital part of its native ecosystem, the Nile Perch is infamous for its role as one of the most destructive invasive species in the world. Its introduction into Lake Victoria in the 1950s caused an ecological catastrophe, leading to the extinction of hundreds of native cichlid species that had no defense against such a large and effective predator. This event serves as a classic cautionary tale about introducing non native species into new environments.

Scientific Fish Names That Start With N

Let’s explore the fish known by their scientific names that explain why they are unique in the animal kingdom.

Naso (Unicornfish)

The genus Naso, which contains the Unicornfish, gets its name directly from the Latin word for “nose.” This is a perfect description for their most famous feature: a prominent, horn-like appendage that projects from their forehead. The exact purpose of this horn is still debated, but it is thought to be used in courtship displays or for defense and competition among males. As members of the surgeonfish family, they also possess another formidable defensive tool.

At the base of their tail, they have a pair of incredibly sharp, scalpel-like spines that can be flicked outwards to inflict deep cuts on any would-be predator. Unlike many of their surgeonfish relatives, which graze on algae, many Unicornfish species are planktivores, feeding on zooplankton in the water column. They are also known for their ability to rapidly change color, shifting from dark to light shades depending on their mood or environment.

Notopterus (Bronze Featherback)

The genus Notopterus comes from the Greek word for “back fin,” which ironically refers to the tiniest and most delicate feature of this fish. Its most distinctive trait is a very small, feather-like dorsal fin that flutters as it swims. The fish’s body is highly compressed with a strongly arched back, giving it a unique, blade-like silhouette.

This knifefish is a master of precise movement. It propels itself primarily by undulating its long, continuous anal fin, which is fused with its tail fin. This allows it to swim forwards and backwards with equal grace and agility, a perfect adaptation for navigating complex, vegetated habitats. As a nocturnal predator, it spends its days hiding in crevices or among plants, emerging at night to hunt for small crustaceans, insects, and other fish.

Other Fish Species That Start with N

5. Naked-Back Knifefish (Gymnotus sp.)
6. Nandus (Nandus nandus)
7. Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)
8. Nase (Chondrostoma nasus)
9. Needle Fin Eater (Belonophago tinanti)
10. Needlefish (Xenentodon cancila)
11. Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
12. Neolamprologus (Cichlid genus)
13. New Guinea Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia affinis)
14. New Guinea Tigerfish (Datnioides (Coius) campbelli)
15. New World Rivuline (Aplocheilus lineatus)
16. New Zealand Smelt (Retropinna retropinna)
17. Nicaragua Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis)
18. Nichols’ Mouthbrooder (Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi)
19. Nigerian Red Krib (Pelvicachromis taeniatus)
20. Nile Bichir (Polypterus bichir)
21. Nile Puffer (Tetraodon fahaka)
22. Njassae Synodontis Catfish (Synodontis njassae)
23. Nkata Cichlid (Copadichromis nkatae)
24. Nobol Distichodus (Distichodus noboli)
25. Noodlefish (Salanx chinensis)
26. Norbert’s Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma norberti)
27. North American Darter (Percina pantherina)
28. North American Freshwater Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
29. North American freshwater gars (Family Lepisosteidae)
30. North Pacific Daggertooth (Anotopterus nikparini)
31. Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
32. Northern Clingfish (Gobiesox maeandricus)
33. Northern Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans)
34. Northern Lampfish (Stenobrachius leucopsarus)
35. Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
36. Northern Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus)
37. Northern Sawfish (Pristis microdon)
38. Northern Sea Robin (Prionotus carolinus)
39. Northern Squawfish (Ptychocheilus oregonensis)
40. Northern Stargazer (Astroscopus guttatus)
41. Notothen (Dissostichus mawsoni)
42. Notropis (Shiner minnows genus)
43. Numbfish (Hypnos sp.)
44. Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
45. Nurseryfish (Kurtus indicus)
46. Nyassa Blue Cichlid (Metriaclima zebra)
47. Nyerere’s Victoria Cichlid (Haplochromis nyererei)

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