There are literally tens of thousands of distinct fish species on Earth, thousands of which are still undiscovered or unidentified.
Discover the Complete A-Z List of Fish That Start With D!
That’s right, scientists estimate that there are at least 33,600 different species living underwater, many of which are found at depths we haven’t had much opportunity to explore, despite the fact that they have been able to catalog over 20,000 different kinds of fish in our rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans.
It makes sense that there would be a huge number of fish with names that begin with the letter D with all these fish swimming about.
Dwarf Driftwood Catfish
The only place in the world where the dwarf driftwood catfish, also known as the pygmy driftwood catfish, may be found in the wild is the Nanay River Basin in Peru.
A stunning fish, they do have vibrant personalities and plenty of character if you’re lucky enough to add one to your underwater environment, even if it’s fairly uncommon for people to keep them in their own private aquariums.
However, it can be a little challenging to keep these fish in captivity. They need very particular water qualities (soft, acidic water with a pH balance between 6.5 and 7.0) and very exact water temperature requirements that roughly match their “home water.”
Dab
Demersal species of dab, a flatfish from the Pleuronectidae family, can be found in the Mediterranean, North, and Baltic Seas. This species is often brownish-grey in color with dark patches on the upper side and has a flat, oval-shaped body. Dab is a significant commercial fish in Europe that eats small fish, crabs, and worms. Typically, bottom trawls and gillnets are used to catch it.
Dragonet
Dragonet fish, sometimes known as Mandarin fish, are not recommended for beginners to the hobby of aquarium keeping.
No, these fish can be quite challenging to maintain for a number of reasons, not the least of which is their extremely stringent and exact dietary needs.
Beautiful fish with many vivid colors that resemble psychedelic paintings virtually need to be educated to eat when kept in aquariums. And on occasion, it seems as though they are defying the training just to starve and disappear.
It’s a good idea to start with live food first if you are very determined to keep these types of fish. Only after a few months of eating only live foods can you start mixing frozen shrimp.
Dusky Corydoras
When they observe their fish gasping and gulping for breath, many individuals who are keeping dusky corydoras for the first time become incredibly apprehensive and uneasy. But don’t be frightened!
This type of action is entirely typical for these fish. They breathe by gulping, so you’ll need to leave enough of space between the water’s surface and the aquarium cover for them to breach. The recommended distance is greater than two inches.
That will ensure that they don’t trip over your hood every time they want to breathe, maybe hurting themselves.
Sand or small gravel substrate is great for these fish as well if you can afford it.
Dwarf Loach
The dwarf loach is a stunning tiny fish with an almost “retro” style that is gradually gaining popularity among individuals who keep home aquariums, especially those who desire more unusual-looking freshwater fish in their aquatic habitat.
But when adding these fish to your aquarium, you do need to be a little bit more cautious. There is a hint of aggression in their personality.
Wild populations of these fish, which are native to the waterways of Thailand, have been declining for many years. Since they are now protected, all of the dwarf loach fish on the market were bred in industrial fisheries.
Dealfish
Although there have been rare reports of these fish being found in the Mediterranean Sea as well, dealfish, a subspecies of ribbon fish, are primarily found in the North Atlantic Ocean.
These fish are rarely observed by humans because of how far down the sea they reside. They resemble eels more than any other type of fish.
They have brightly silver skin that is practically the color of aluminum foil, occasionally with black markings, and a pink dorsal fin that extends the entire length of their fish body.
These fish can reach almost unimaginable lengths; the usual size is roughly 8 to 9 feet, however, adults can occasionally grow significantly bigger.
Decorated Synodontis
The gorgeous spotted fish known as the decorated synodontis, sometimes known as the decorated catfish, usually resides in the Congo River basin.
These catfish are known to reach sizes of approximately 12.6 inches (on average), making them considerably bigger than the dwarf driftwood catfish we just described. However, they still don’t reach the same sizes as the catfish “monsters” people drag out of the Mississippi River, for instance.
If keeping decorative catfish in an aquarium, make sure there is enough room for the fish to swim around. It is advised to use tanks with a minimum capacity of 30 gallons, and you must consistently maintain water temperatures between 73°F and 81°F.
Denticle Herring
The denticle herring is a relative of other herring fish and is often seen in the rivers around Nigeria and Western Cameroon. However, they have a rather unique trait that sets them apart from the rest of the pack.
Naturally, we’re referring to the fish’s huge anal fin and denticle-like scales found beneath its head. This gives the herring an almost “fuzzy” appearance that sets it apart from other members of the herring family.
Daggertooth Pike Conger
The conger eel family includes the deep-sea fish known as the daggertooth pike conger, which is located in the Atlantic Ocean. This species is typically brown or grey in appearance and has a long, slender body. Its name is derived from its pointed, dagger-like fangs. Feeding on other fish and cephalopods, daggertooth pike conger is frequently taken as a bycatch in deep-sea trawling operations.
Damselfish
The Pomacentridae family includes the colorful reef fish known as the damselfish, which can be found in tropical and subtropical waters. It is often vividly colored, with shades of blue, green, or yellow, and has a small, oval-shaped body. Around coral reefs, damselfish, which eats plankton and small invertebrates, are frequently seen in groups.
Danio
A small freshwater fish from the Cyprinidae family, the danio is found throughout Southeast Asia. This species is often gold or silver in color with blue or green stripes, and it has a long and sleek body. Due to its toughness and appealing look, danio is frequently kept as a popular aquarium fish. It feeds on small invertebrates.
Darter
Freshwater fish belonging to the Percidae family, the darter is found in North America. It can reach a maximum length of 20 cm and has a streamlined body that is often brown or green in color. Darter is a tiny invertebrate-eating fish that frequents swift-moving rivers and streams.
Delta Smelt
This fish, a rare species of smelt found exclusively in the waters of the California Delta, is genuinely in danger of going extinct, but significant conservation efforts are currently being made to give the small fish a fighting chance.
These fish only get to be around 3 or 4 inches long and are gorgeous with flesh that glows and has a faint cucumber scent.
They make up a sizable portion of both the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and the San Francisco Bay Delta, albeit their numbers have been sharply falling over the past few decades due to the diversion of freshwater into aqueducts and canals.
Hopefully, over the coming few decades, this trend can be reversed, giving the delta smelt an opportunity to recover and get near.
