While beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, there are some fish that are just plain ugly. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not popular. In fact, some of the ugliest fish are also some of the most popular, due to their unique appearance or interesting habits.
Here are just a few fish with ugly teeth that could be an interesting addition for your tank.
- Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus)
- Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula)
- Deep-sea Fangtooth (Anoplogaster cornuta)
- Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus)
- Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
- Map Pufferfish (Arothron mappa)
- Atlantic Wolf fish (Anarhichas lupus)
- Black Piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus)
- Goliath Tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath)
- Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
- Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)
- Triggerfish (Balistidae)
- Sloane’s viperfish (Chauliodus sloani)
- Payara (Hydrolycus scomberoides)
So, while ugly fish may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that they can be fascinating creatures.
Popular Fish With Ugly Teeth
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1. Goliath Tigerfish
- Scientific Name: Hydrocynus goliath
- Diet: Carnivore
The Goliath tigerfish is a large, African freshwater fish that can grow up to six feet in length and weigh up to 180 pounds.native to the Congo River Basin, Lake Tanganyika, and the Zambezi River.
It is considered one of the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world, and has been known to attack and eat small mammals, reptiles, and even birds.
The Goliath tigerfish’s diet consists mainly of other fish, but it will also eat crustaceans, mollusks, and carrion. The tigerfish’s teeth are one of its most distinguishing features – they are long, sharp, and ugly, which makes them perfect for catching and tearing apart prey.
While the Goliath tigerfish is certainly an impressive creature, it is also an important part of the ecosystem in which it lives. By preying on smaller animals, the Goliath tigerfish helps to keep populations in check and maintain the delicate balance of nature.
2. Triggerfish
- Scientific Name: Balistidae
- Diet: Carnivore
The triggerfish is a small but mighty fish that is found in tropical and subtropical waters all over the world. The eyes are set high on the head, giving the triggerfish a nearly 360-degree view of its surroundings.
The triggerfish gets its name from the large dorsal fin that can be “triggered” to lock the fish into place in a crevice or hole.
When threatened, the triggerfish will often retreat into its hiding spot and use its strong fins to wed itself in place. The triggerfish is a voracious predator that will eat just about anything it can fit into its mouth. Crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish are all on the menu for the triggerfish.
The triggerfish has strong jaws and teeth that are well suited for crushing hard shells. While they may not be the prettiest creatures in the sea, triggerfish are fascinating animals that play an important role in the ecosystem.
3. Map Pufferfish
- Scientific Name: Arothron mappa
- Diet: Omnivore
The map pufferfish is a small, spiny creature found in tropical reefs around the world. Unlike other puffers, the map puffer has no scales and is covered in a thin layer of skin. They get their name from the distinctive patterns on their bodies, which resemble the contours of a map.
Map pufferfish are usually less than 3 inches long, but can grow up to 4 inches in length. These fish have a blunt head and a rounded body with small fins. Their eyes are located on the sides of their head, and they have a small mouth with sharp teeth.
Map pufferfish eat a variety of small invertebrates, such as crabs, shrimp, and worms. They use their sharp teeth to crack open shells and break apart coral. The map pufferfish is not considered to be a threat to humans, but their teeth can cause serious injury if they are mishandled.
4. Payara
- Scientific Name: Hydrolycus scomberoides
- Diet: Carnivore
The Payara fish is a native of the Amazon basin, and it is known for its large, sharp teeth. The diet of the Payara fish consists mostly of other fish, and they have been known to attack humans on occasion. In terms of appearance, the Payara fish is silver in color with large scales.
They can grow up to four feet in length, and they have a long, slender body. The Payara fish is not a popular choice for aquariums due to their aggressive nature. However, some people find them to be interesting creatures, and they are sometimes kept as pets.
5. Atlantic Wolf fish
- Scientific Name: Anarhichas lupus
- Diet: Carnivore
Atlantic wolffish are large, eel-like fish that can grow up to four feet in length. They are found in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where they prey on mollusks, shellfish, and other small marine creatures.
Atlantic wolffish have long, snake-like bodies and sharp, ugly teeth that they use to crush the hard shells of their prey.
Despite their intimidating appearance, Atlantic wolffish are not considered a threat to humans. In fact, they are sometimes caught and eaten by people who live in coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean.
If you ever find yourself face-to-face with an Atlantic wolffish, you can rest assured knowing that it is more likely to eat a clam than it is to eat you!
6. Black Piranha
- Scientific Name: Serrasalmus rhombeus
- Diet: Carnivore
The Black Piranha is a ferocious predator that is native to the waterways of South America. Growing up to two feet in length, these fish are easily recognized by their jet black body and their sharp, teeth.%.
Although they are smaller than some of their relatives, Black Piranhas are among the most feared predators in the region.%.
Black Piranhas primarily feed on other fish, although they will also consume insects, amphibians, and small mammals. Their sharp teeth and powerful jaws allow them to tear through flesh with ease. In fact, a single Black Piranha can eat up to 50 pounds of fish per day!%.
In addition to their formidable hunting skills, Black Piranhas are also known for their aggressive nature. These fish have been known to attack humans and animals alike.
In fact, there have been reports of Black Piranhas biting through the skin of swimmers and even attacking boats!%. Fortunately, attacks on humans are relatively rare and usually only occur when the fish feel threatened.
7. Sheepshead
- Scientific Name: Archosargus probatocephalus
- Diet: Carnivore
The Sheepshead is a species of freshwater fish that is native to North America. It gets its name from its sheep-like head, which is covered in thick scales.
The body of the Sheepshead is silver-gray in color, and it has 5-7 vertical black stripes on its sides. Adults can grow to be up to 15 inches long.
The Sheepshead is a carnivorous fish, and its diet consists mostly of crayfish, worms, and small invertebrates. It also has a very unique set of teeth: the front teeth are thin and sharp, while the back teeth are flat and grind against each other like a pair of molars.
These teeth help the Sheepshead to crush its hard-shelled prey. Although it may not be the most attractive fish in the world, the Sheepshead is an important part of the ecosystem and plays a vital role in the food chain.
8. Pacu
- Scientific Name: Piaractus brachypomus
- Diet: Carnivore
The Pacu fish is a South American freshwater fish that is closely related to the piranha. These fish are herbivores, and they have square-shaped teeth that are designed for crushing plant matter.
While their teeth may not be as sharp as those of their carnivorous cousins, they can still do some damage; pacu have been known to bite swimmers and fishermen who get too close to them.
In addition to their teeth, Pacu also have a reputation for being rather ugly fish. They are typically a dull gray or brown color, and they can grow to be quite large; the average Pacu is about two feet long, but some individuals can reach lengths of four feet or more.
Despite their less-than-attractive appearance, Pacu are popular aquarium fish, and they are often kept as pets by fish enthusiasts.
9. Alligator gar
- Scientific Name: Atractosteus spatula
- Diet: Carnivore
The alligator gar is a large, freshwater fish that is native to the southeastern United States. These fish can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds. Alligator gars are carnivorous fish that prey on other fish, reptiles, and mammals.
They have long, sharp teeth that they use to catch and kill their prey. Alligator gars are considered to be a nuisance species by many people because they often consume valuable game fish such as bass and catfish.
However, these fish are also prized by some anglers for their fight when hooked on a line. If you’re lucky enough to catch an alligator gar, you’ll need a good set of pliers to remove the hook from its mouth!
10. Deep-sea Fangtooth
- Scientific Name: Anoplogaster cornuta
- Diet: Carnivore
The Deep-sea Fangtooth is a strange and fascinating creature that lurks in the depths of the ocean. This fish is easily recognizable by its long, sharp teeth, which protrude from its large mouth.
Despite their intimidating appearance, Deep-sea Fangtooths are relatively small fish, measuring only about 6 inches in length.
These fish are found in deep waters all over the world, typically at depths of 3,000 feet or more. Due to their great depth, Deep-sea Fangtooths are rarely seen by humans.
Deep-sea Fangtooths primarily eat smaller fish and squid. They use their sharp teeth to slice through their prey before swallowing it whole. However, these fish will also consume just about anything else they can find, including crustaceans, mollusks, and even other Deep-sea Fangtooths.
In fact, studies have shown that up to 20% of a Deep-sea Fangtooth’s diet may consist of other members of its own species!
While they may not be the most attractive creatures in the sea, Deep-sea Fangtooths are nevertheless interesting and important animals. These fish play an important role in the deep-sea ecosystem and provide a valuable food source for many other species.
So next time you see a picture of a Deep-sea Fangtooth, don’t be too quick to judge – this ugly little fish is actually quite fascinating!
11. Lingcod
- Scientific Name: Ophiodon elongatus
- Diet: Omnivore
The Deep-sea Lingcod is an ugly fish. It has large, sharp teeth which it uses to devour its prey. The fish is found in deep waters and feeds on smaller fish, squid, and crustaceans.
They are an important part of the ocean ecosystem and help to keep the population of smaller fish in check. Often, theDeep-sea Lingcod will hide amongst rocks and coral, waiting to ambush its next meal.
These fish can grow up to four feet in length and weigh up to thirty pounds. Deep-sea Lingcod are an important food source for larger predators such as sharks and whales. Although they may not be the prettiest fish in the sea, they play a vital role in keeping the ocean ecosystem balanced.
12. Great white shark
- Scientific Name: Carcharodon carcharias
- Diet: Carnivore
The Great White Shark is a large lamniform shark found in coastal waters in all major oceans. Their diet consists mostly of fish, dolphins, porpoises, and seals. They have 35 to 40 teeth in each quadrant of their mouths. A great white’s teeth are triangular with serrated edges.
These teeth can grow up to 6.1 centimeters long in mature sharks. Great white sharks undergo two different types of growth: they grow quickly when they are young, and then more slowly as they reach maturity. Great whites reach maturity at about 15 years old.
Mature individuals can grow to be up to six meters long and weigh over two metric tons. Great white sharks are generally gray with a white underside, though the coloration may vary depending on location. Juveniles often have brown spots on their dorsal (upper) sides.
These spots fade as the shark matures. The great white shark is an apex predator, meaning that it is at the top of the food chain and has few natural predators.
However, they are sometimes killed by orcas or large tiger sharks. Humans also pose a threat to great white sharks, as they are frequently caught by fishermen and hunted for their fins and meat. In many areas, great white sharks are protected by law and it is illegal to hunt them.
13. Northern Pike
- Scientific Name: Esox lucius
- Diet: Carnivore
The northern pike is a freshwater fish that is found in lakes and rivers across North America. Also known as the muskellunge or simply muskie, the northern pike can grow to be quite large, with some specimens reaching lengths of up to six feet.
Northern pikes are predators, and their diet consists primarily of other fish. They are known for their sharp, needle-like teeth, which they use to capture and kill their prey.
While their teeth may be off-putting to some, they are an essential part of the northern pike’s hunting strategy. Without them, this fearsome fish would be unable to survive in the wild.
14. Sloane’s viperfish
- Scientific Name: Chauliodus sloani
- Diet: Carnivore
Sloane’s viperfish is a deep-sea creature that is known for its large, sharp teeth. The viperfish uses these teeth to eat small fish and krill. They are also known to eat squid, crabs, and shrimp. The Sloane’s viperfish is a small fish, but their teeth can be up to 3 times the size of their body.
The bottom of the Sloane’s viperfish’s mouth has long, needle-like teeth that they use to stab their prey. They also have large fang-like teeth that they use to grab onto their prey and rip it apart. The Sloane’s viperfish is an aggressive predator and will attack anything that it thinks it can eat.
The Sloane’s viperfish is one of the ugliest fish in the sea with its large teeth and dark body. But, despite their scary appearance, they are actually gentle creatures that are not harmful to humans.
