This article lists various species of fish that begin with the letter “D”. The list includes the denison barb, the diamond tetra, and the discus.
Fish are a popular pet choice for many people, as they are relatively low-maintenance and can be quite beautiful to look at. If you’re considering adding a fish to your home, be sure to do your research to find a species that is compatible with your other pets and that will thrive in your home’s environment.
Fishes That Start With The Letter D
Did you know that there are over 34,000 species of fish in the world? That’s a lot of fish! And believe it or not, there are quite a few fishes that start with the letter “D.” Here are just a few of them:
Dolphin
Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals and are part of the family of toothed whales that includes orcas and pilot whales. They are found worldwide, mostly in shallow seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, eating mostly fish and squid. Dolphin coloration varies, but they are generally gray in color with darker backs than the rest of their body.
Dory
Dory is a blue tang fish that features prominently in the Finding Nemo and Finding Dory movies. In real life, blue tangs are native to the reefs of the Indo-Pacific and can grow to be about a foot long. They are popular aquarium fish, but can be difficult to care for due to their high level of activity and need for a large tank.
Duckbill
Duckbill platypuses are one of the most unusual animals in the world. They are found in eastern Australia and are the only mammals that lay eggs. Platypuses are about the size of a house cat and have a furry body with a bill that resembles a duck’s. They are good swimmers and use their tail for propulsion.
Discus
Discus fish are a type of cichlid and are native to the Amazon River Basin. They are popular aquarium fish because of their bright colors and interesting shape. Discus can grow to be about a foot in diameter and live for up to 10 years. They are carnivores and eat mostly live food, such as worms and small fish.
The Dazzling Damselfish!
Damselfish are tiny titans of the coral reef, shimmering with vibrant colors like blue, yellow, and orange. These feisty fish, measuring just a few inches, are masters of disguise, blending into the reef with bold stripes or spots. But don’t be fooled by their small size! Damselfish are fiercely territorial, protecting their patch of coral with surprising aggression. They even team up with cleaner shrimp, who munch on parasites while the damselfish keeps watch for predators.
Did you know?
- There are over 300 species of damselfish, each with unique patterns and behaviors.
- Some damselfish, like the clownfish, live in a symbiotic relationship with anemones, finding shelter and protection in their stinging tentacles.
- Damselfish play a vital role in reef health by cleaning algae and keeping the ecosystem balanced.
The Dartfish
Dartfish are the Usain Bolts of the ocean, zipping through coral crevices and seaweed forests with lightning speed. These sleek fish, rarely exceeding 6 inches, have elongated bodies and powerful tails, propelling them through the water in a blur of silver and blue. Dartfish are masters of camouflage, blending into their surroundings with stripes and spots that mimic the shadows and patterns of the reef. But unlike the territorial damselfish, dartfish live in large, fast-moving schools, shimmering like a living cloud as they dart and weave through the water.
Did you know?
- Some dartfish species can change color rapidly, blending into their surroundings even faster.
- Dartfish are social creatures, communicating with each other through body language and fin flicks.
- Their rapid movements and quick reflexes make them difficult prey for even the most skilled predators.
The Dealfish
Dealfish are the enigmas of the ocean, slender, eel-like fish shrouded in mystery. These deep-sea dwellers, reaching up to 6 feet in length, prefer the cold, dark depths far below the reach of sunlight. Their long, ribbon-like bodies are often silver or black, with large eyes that help them navigate the dimly lit waters. Dealfish are rarely seen alive, making them a challenge for even the most experienced marine biologists.
Did you know?
- Dealfish have large, fang-like teeth, suggesting they may be ambush predators, feeding on unsuspecting prey that stray too close.
- Some dealfish species have bioluminescent organs, producing light that helps them attract mates or communicate with each other in the darkness.
- Despite their elusive nature, dealfish play an important role in the deep-sea ecosystem, consuming smaller fish and helping to recycle nutrients.
The Deep Sea Eel
Imagine a creature as long as a car, but as thin as a garden hose, slithering through the inky blackness of the deepest trenches. That’s the deep sea eel, a master of darkness and mystery. Reaching up to 6 feet in length, these serpentine fish have bodies adapted for the crushing pressure and frigid temperatures of the abyss. Their wide mouths and sharp teeth hint at their diet of unsuspecting prey, which they lure in with bioluminescent lures dangling from their chins.
Did you know?
- Some deep sea eel species have expandable jaws, allowing them to swallow prey much larger than their own heads!
- Their bodies produce a special antifreeze protein, preventing their blood from freezing in the icy depths.
- Despite their fearsome appearance, most deep sea eels are harmless to humans, preferring the solitude of the abyss.
The Dhufish
Forget fairy tales – the real giants of the ocean come in shades of grey and sport impressive tusks! Meet the Dhufish, a behemoth of the coral reef, weighing up to 400 pounds and spanning over 7 feet. These gentle giants are apex predators, ruling their territory with quiet authority. Their large mouths can suck in prey whole, from spiny lobsters to unsuspecting sharks. But despite their size and power, Dhufish are surprisingly clean eaters, leaving the reef ecosystem largely unharmed.
Did you know?
- Dhufish can live for over 80 years, making them some of the longest-lived fish on the planet.
- They form monogamous pairs, staying with the same mate for life and defending their territory together.
- Dhufish play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the reef by keeping smaller fish populations in check.
The Dogfish Shark
Don’t let the name fool you – dogfish sharks are more puppies than ferocious predators. These small (reaching around 4 feet), slender sharks are found in both cold and warm waters, often cruising in large schools along coastlines. Though covered in rough sandpaper-like skin and equipped with two dorsal fins tipped with venomous spines, dogfish are relatively harmless to humans. They primarily feed on small fish and invertebrates, using their sharp teeth to tear into their prey.
Did you know?
- Dogfish sharks are some of the oldest living fish on Earth, with fossil records dating back over 80 million years!
- They play an important role in the marine food chain, keeping populations of smaller fish in check.
- Some dogfish species can reproduce both sexually and asexually, making them incredibly adaptable creatures.
The Dragonfish
As if ripped straight from fantasy, dragonfish lurk in the inky depths of the ocean, where sunlight never reaches. These sleek, viper-like fish, rarely exceeding 6 inches, boast a mesmerizing bioluminescent lure dangling from their chin. This “dragon’s beard” glows with an eerie blue light, attracting curious prey to their razor-sharp teeth. Dragonfish live in a world of perpetual twilight, their bodies adapted to withstand the crushing pressure and frigid temperatures of the abyss.
Did you know?
- Some dragonfish species have bioluminescent organs along their bodies, creating a mesmerizing light show in the darkness.
- Their large eyes are specially adapted to detect the faintest glimmer of bioluminescence, making them masters of the deep-sea hunt.
- Dragonfish play a crucial role in the deep-sea ecosystem, consuming smaller fish and helping to recycle nutrients.
The Driftwood Catfish
Imagine a fish that can perfectly blend in with a piece of driftwood! That’s the incredible talent of the driftwood catfish, masters of camouflage in the murky waters of the Amazon Basin. Their bodies mimic the texture and color of fallen branches, complete with moss-like growths and algae-covered patches. This disguise allows them to ambush unsuspecting prey or avoid predators, making them masters of survival in the ever-changing Amazonian landscape.
Did you know?
- Driftwood catfish have specially adapted barbels that help them sense vibrations in the water, allowing them to locate prey even in low visibility.
- They play a vital role in keeping the Amazon ecosystem healthy by consuming dead leaves and detritus, breaking them down into nutrients for other organisms.
- Driftwood catfish are surprisingly social creatures, often living in small groups and interacting with each other through fin flicks and body language.
The Dusky Shark
With their sleek, powerful bodies and piercing eyes, dusky sharks are the epitome of ocean predators. Measuring up to 12 feet long, these graceful hunters patrol the open waters, from continental shelves to coral reefs. Despite their fearsome appearance, dusky sharks are not indiscriminate killers. They primarily feed on smaller fish, squid, and octopus, using their keen sense of smell and sharp teeth to track down prey.
Did you know?
- Dusky sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning they hatch eggs internally and give birth to live young.
- They form loose social groups, often cruising together in search of food.
- Dusky sharks play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems by keeping prey populations in check.
The Driftfish
Imagine a fish that spends its life gracefully floating through the ocean, like a living leaf carried by the current. That’s the driftfish, a master of passive locomotion. These delicate fish, rarely exceeding 6 inches, have flattened bodies and elongated fins that act as tiny sails, allowing them to drift effortlessly with the water’s flow. While they may seem fragile, driftfish are crafty survivors. They camouflage themselves with silvery scales and bioluminescent spots, blending into the twilight zone of the open ocean.
Did you know?
- Driftfish have large, upturned mouths that enable them to feed on tiny plankton as they drift through the water.
- They possess bioluminescent organs that can light up their bodies, potentially attracting mates or confusing predators.
- Driftfish play a vital role in the marine food chain, serving as prey for larger fish and helping to recycle nutrients.
The Duckbill Eel
Forget Hollywood vampires – the real creatures with duck-like bills hide not in castles, but beneath the mud! Duckbill eels are burrowing wonders, spending their days hidden in the soft sediments of rivers and estuaries. Their flat, wide heads and shovel-like snouts are perfectly adapted for digging, allowing them to create intricate burrows and tunnels in the muck. But despite their humble digs, duckbill eels are anything but boring. They have elongated bodies that can stretch up to 3 feet, and their flexible snouts are equipped with tiny teeth, perfect for catching unsuspecting worms and crustaceans.
Did you know?
- Duckbill eels breathe air using specialized pouches located near their gills.
- They come in a variety of colors, from muddy brown to vibrant orange, with some species even sporting stripes or spots.
- Duckbill eels play a vital role in keeping river and estuary ecosystems healthy by aerating the mud and consuming organic matter.
44 Fishes Beginning With D
| Dab | Dace |
| Daggertooth pike conger | Damselfish |
| Danio | Darter |
| Dartfish | Dealfish |
| Death Valley pupfish | Deep sea eel |
| Deep sea smelt | Deepwater cardinalfish |
| Deepwater flathead | Deepwater stingray |
| Delta smelt | Demoiselle |
| Denticle herring | Desert pupfish |
| Devario | Devil ray |
| Dhufish | Discus |
| Dogfish | Dogfish shark |
| Dogteeth tetra | Dojo loach |
| Dolly Varden trout | Dolphin fish |
| Dorab wolf-herring | Dorado |
| Dory | Dottyback |
| Dragonet | Dragonfish |
| Dragon goby | Driftfish |
| Driftwood catfish | Drum |
| Duckbill | Duckbill eel |
| Dusky grouper | Dusky shark |
| Dwarf gourami | Dwarf loach |
Conclusion
There are many different types of fishes that begin with the letter “D”. Some of these fishes include the dogfish, the dory, and the eel. Each of these fishes has different characteristics and habitats. The dogfish is a small, bottom-dwelling shark. The dory is a small, brightly-colored fish. The eel is a long, snake-like fish. All of these fishes are interesting and unique in their own way.
