Even if the increased density of water serves as a suitable barrier, the animal kingdom never ceases to amaze. The fastest aquatic animals have spent millions of years perfecting their aerodynamic and perfectly shaped bodies.
These creatures use a variety of various sorts of movement to move about in the water, depending on whether they are the hunter or the assumed dinner.
10. Killer Whale
Top Speed: 32 miles per hour
Family: Delphinidae
Size: 209 horsepower and 158 pound-feet of torque
Mass: approx. 8,000 pounds
Life Span: approx. 50 years
photo source: news.ubc.ca
The orca, aka the killer whale, is a toothed whale that is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. It is the only species left in the genus Orcinus and is distinguished by its black-and-white striped body.
It has been recorded moving at 32 mph when it leaps out of the water. Male orcas are larger and more robust than females and can grow to 31 feet. Additionally, males can be identified in the water by their towering, upright dorsal fins, while females have fins that gradually curve.
Did You Know:
Ancient mariners who observed orcas hunting on giant whales called them “killer whales.”
9. Flying Fish
Top Speed: 35 miles per hour Family: Exocoetidae Size: 15 to 51 centimeters Mass: Up to 2 pounds Life Span: approx. 5 years
photo source: iisgod.com
Perhaps no other animal in the animal realm soars through the air like the flying fish. It can gain speed, leap out of the water, and glide through the air, sometimes over a thousand feet with the correct tailwind, to flee its predators.
The secret to its success lies in the wing-like pectoral fins that protrude from the side of the body and all the skeletal and muscular modifications made to create room for them.
In contrast to the ordinary flying fish, which only has two wing-shaped fins, the four-wing flying fish has four modified pelvic fins.
Did You Know:
There are about 40 different types of flying fish. Flying fish are tropical and temperate marine species that can be observed off the United States Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans as well.
8. Mako Shark
Top Speed: 40 miles per hour Family: Lamnidae Size: 10 to 15 feet Mass: 132 to 198 pounds Life Span: approx. 20 years
photo source: facts.net
Mako sharks are big, dangerous sharks. This genus comprises two distinct species: the relatively common shortfin mako shark and the more elusive longfin mako shark.
The presence of denticles, which are flexible, tooth-like structures on the sides of the body, is the key to the mako’s amazing speed.
Did You Know:
Mako shark flesh is highly valued, particularly in New England, where it is commonly seen in grocery shops.
7. Bonito
Top Speed: 40 miles per hour Family: Scombridae Size: 45 to 230 centimeters Mass: 5 to 250 pounds Life Span: 8 to 12 years
photo source: static.outsider.com
Bonito is a medium-sized predatory fish family that includes tuna and mackerel. Bonito is classified into four genera and eight species.
They are, first and foremost, strong, lean fish with broad muscle bands running down each flank. They are also propelled by a large caudal or tail fin.
Did You Know:
It is a migratory fish that can be found from Nova Scotia to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as far south as Argentina. The Pacific bonito has a similar construction as the Atlantic bonito but has stripes on its back and can be found from Chile to the Gulf of Alaska.
6. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Top Speed: 43 miles per hour Family: Scombridae Size: up to 10 feet Mass: approx. 500 pounds Life Span: up to 20 years
photo source: critter.science
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is one of the open ocean’s fastest and most powerful predators and is the focus of several local and large-scale fisheries across its range. Atlantic bluefin tuna consume a wide range of prey, although it appears that they favor pelagic fish and crustaceans that they can swallow whole.
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is a tuna species of the Scombridae family. It is also known as the northern bluefin tuna, the gigantic bluefin tuna for those weighing more than 150 kg, and the tunny. Both the Western and Eastern Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, are home to Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Did You Know:
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is the largest and easily the largest species in the mackerel family, reaching weights of up to 2000 pounds (900 kg) and lengths of about 15 feet (4.6 m).
5. Pilot Whale
Top Speed: 47 miles per hour Family: Delphinidae Size: 19 to 25 feet Mass: approx. 5,000 pounds Life Span: up to 45 years
photo source: whoi.edu
The genus Globicephala contains all cetaceans, including pilot whales. Pilot whales with long and short fins are the two species still alive today. The pilot whale, which can reach 47 mph, is a big dolphin, just like the killer whale.
This animal, sometimes called the blackfish, is swift and incredibly intelligent. It is well known for mysteriously washing up on beaches and is quite gregarious. Although it is captured in nets intended for commercial fish too frequently, its conservation status is of minor concern.
Pilot whales are one of the largest members of the dolphin family.
Did You Know:
These whales were given the moniker “pilot whales” because it was believed that a designated “pilot led each pod.”
4. Yellowfin Tuna
Top Speed: 50 miles per hour Family: Scombridae Size: 6 feet Mass: 400 pounds Life Span: 6 to 7 years
photo source: fishingproexclusive.com
The yellowfin tuna is warm-blooded like the bluefin, and although its circulatory system isn’t as effective, it looks like it can swim even faster at 50 mph. It can reach weights of more than 400 pounds and is present in warm ocean areas throughout the planet.
Along with its speed, its appearance distinguishes it. Its dorsal and second anal fins are quite long, curled, and yellow and give the fish its name. It bears yellowfin lets along the stem of its tail, commonly known as the caudal peduncle. It has a silver belly and a dark, shiny blue top. The belly is striped.
Did You Know:
Approximately 8 million eggs can be produced by a single breed of yellowfin tuna.
3. Swordfish
Top Speed: 50 miles per hour Family: Scombridae Size: 6 feet Mass: 400 pounds Life Span: 6 to 7 years
photo source: mozfiles.com
The Swordfish is a huge, scaleless fish with a long sword that emerges from its snout to slash at prey creatures. It also has a prominent dorsal fin.
The Swordfish’s absence of teeth and pelvic fins is another distinguishing feature. Its top is purple or bluish, while its bottom is silvery.
While many sea creatures suffer from human activities, Swordfish and other pelagic species are less vulnerable to habitat loss or chemical changes than smaller inshore fish.
Did You Know:
Due to a special organ located next to their eyes, Swordfish can hunt in cooler waters by warming their brains and eyes.
2 Sailfish
Top Speed: approx. 70 miles per hour Family: Istiophoridae Size: up to 10 feet Mass: 200 pounds Life Span: 4 to 5 years
photo source: images.alphacoders.com
According to popular belief, the world’s quickest fish is the sailfish. The two species of the sailfish genus, a member of the marlin family, are the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
Contrary to popular perception, they do not use their sword-like bills to spear prey. Instead, they may stun larger prey, sometimes in groups of two or more, such as crustaceans and squid.
But this fish’s massive dorsal fin, which is at least a foot tall, is what sticks out. When not used, it can be folded against the body like a boat sail.
Did You Know:
Sailfish spend their entire lives in the open ocean near the surface, yet they can dive as deep as 1,150 feet (350 m) to obtain food.
1. Black Marlin
Top Speed: 82 miles per hour Family: Istiophoridae Size: up to 15 feet Mass: approx. 1,600 pounds Life Span: 5 to 11 years
photo source: marlinmag.com
The Black Marlin is the world’s fastest sea animal and the fastest fish. The BBC asserts that the black marlin is the world’s fastest fish based on reports that a marlin shredded line from a reel at a rate of 120 feet per second, which corresponds to an average swimming speed of 82 miles per hour.
Black marlin can be distinguished from other billfish by their rigid pectoral fins, which cannot be folded against the sides, and the substantial skin flap covering their throat.
Although these fish sometimes have very dark dorsal colors, lighter grey varieties occasionally occur, and they were initially thought to belong to a distinct species known as the Silver Marlin.
Did You Know:
The 1,560-pound black marlin, caught on August 4, 1953, off Cabo Blanco, Peru, by Alfred Glassell, Jr., holds the all-tackle record. With an 81-inch girth, the marlin measured 174 inches in length. With a 12/0 Fin-Nor reel and a Tycoon rod, Glassell began casting.