100+ Different Types of Fish Names A–Z with their Pictures

Fish names appear regularly in markets, menus, aquariums, books, and everyday conversations. However, many people recognize fish by appearance rather than by name, and because of this, similar fish are often grouped together incorrectly.

As a result, confusion happens when names are spoken casually or written on labels. In many cases, fish share similar shapes or familiar names, which blurs recognition. For this reason, this article explains types of fish by grouping commonly used names in clear and simple ways.

Common Types of Fish

Some fish names are widely recognized because they appear often in food, media, and everyday speech. Because of this familiarity, these names are commonly used as general labels rather than exact identifiers. At the same time, people may know the name without knowing how one fish differs from another.

Salmon
Salmon is one of the most widely recognized fish names, commonly seen on menus, grocery labels, and in daily conversation. In many cases, the name is used broadly without reference to specific varieties.

Tuna
Tuna is a very familiar fish name that appears often in canned products and restaurant menus. Because of this, it usually refers to several related fish rather than one exact type.

Cod
Cod is a common fish name frequently mentioned in food listings and frozen seafood sections. However, it is often grouped with similar white fish in casual speech.

Tilapia
Tilapia is a well-known fish name commonly found in markets and home kitchens. Many people recognize the name mainly from packaging rather than clear distinction.

Sardine
Sardine is a familiar name usually linked to small fish sold fresh or in tins. In everyday use, the name often represents several similar fish.

Anchovy
Anchovy is a small fish name often mentioned alongside sardines. It is commonly recognized through preserved forms.

Trout
Trout is a widely known fish name associated with rivers and lakes. Because of its familiarity, it is often used as a general reference.

Snapper
Snapper is a popular fish name frequently used on menus and in markets. In many cases, it refers broadly to different fish with similar appearance.

Mackerel
Mackerel is a common fish name often grouped with oily fish in seafood discussions.

Bass
Bass is a widely used fish name that applies to both freshwater and saltwater fish, which often causes confusion.

Types of Saltwater Fish

Saltwater fish names are commonly linked to oceans and seas, although many are also used loosely in everyday speech. Because of this, people often recognize the name without knowing whether the fish is strictly marine.

In many cases, these names appear on menus or labels, which makes recognition more important than classification.

• Tuna: A saltwater fish name used for several closely related ocean fish.
• Mackerel: A fast-swimming sea fish name commonly listed in seafood sections.
• Snapper: A saltwater fish name frequently used in markets and restaurants.
• Grouper: A sea fish name often mentioned in fresh fish listings.
• Sole: A flat saltwater fish name commonly seen on menus.
• Flounder: A flat sea fish name often confused with sole due to similar shape.
• Halibut: A large flatfish name commonly used in seafood menus.
• Sea Bass: A saltwater fish name that is often confused with freshwater bass.
• Swordfish: A distinctive sea fish name recognized by its long bill.
• Marlin: A large ocean fish name often mentioned in sport fishing contexts.
• Sardine: A small saltwater fish name frequently grouped with anchovies.
• Anchovy: A sea fish name commonly used in sauces and preserved foods.
• Barracuda: A predatory sea fish name known from coastal regions.
• Redfish: A common sea fish name that varies by region and market use.

Types of Freshwater Fish

Freshwater fish names are commonly linked to rivers, lakes, and ponds, although many are also used loosely in everyday speech. However, because some names overlap with saltwater fish, confusion often appears when these fish are mentioned casually.

In many cases, these names show up in markets, books, or conversations without context. For this reason, recognizing common freshwater fish names helps keep references clear.

• Carp: A widely known freshwater fish name, often used as a general term for large river fish.
• Catfish: A familiar name linked to whisker-like features, commonly used for several freshwater species.
• Tilapia: A freshwater fish name frequently seen in markets and home cooking.
• Trout: A common freshwater name associated with streams and lakes, often used broadly.
• Bass: A shared name applied to multiple freshwater fish, which often causes confusion.
• Perch: A freshwater fish name commonly mentioned in lakes and fishing contexts.
• Pike: A long-bodied freshwater fish name recognized by its pointed snout.
• Zander: A freshwater fish name often confused with perch in some regions.
• Roach: A small freshwater fish name commonly used in European waters.
• Bream: A freshwater fish name that is sometimes mixed up with sea bream.
• Minnow: A general name used for small freshwater fish rather than a single type.
• Gourami: A freshwater fish name often mentioned in aquarium settings.
• Goldfish: A well-known freshwater name commonly associated with домаш aquariums.
• Koi: A carp-related freshwater fish name recognized for ornamental use.

Brackish Water Fish Types

Brackish water fish names are often mentioned less frequently, which is why many people are unsure where these fish belong. However, these names usually come up when rivers meet the sea, or when people talk about estuaries and coastal waters.

In many cases, brackish fish are confused with either freshwater or saltwater fish. For this reason, recognizing their names helps clarify references in books, labels, and everyday conversation.

• Mullet: A brackish water fish name commonly used for fish found near river mouths and coastal areas.
• Milkfish: A well-known brackish fish name often mentioned in Asian markets and food lists.
• Barramundi: A fish name used for a species that moves between freshwater and brackish water.
• Scat: A brackish water fish name often seen in estuaries and sometimes in aquariums.
• Archerfish: A brackish fish name recognized for its unique feeding behavior, often mentioned in aquariums.
• Gobies: A group name used for small fish commonly found in brackish and coastal waters.
• Monodactylus: A brackish water fish name frequently used in aquarium and reference lists.
• Four-Eyed Fish: A brackish fish name known from coastal lagoons and estuaries.

Types of Fish People Eat

Fish names are often learned through food rather than habitat, which is why many people recognize edible fish names first. However, these names are sometimes used broadly, even when they refer to different fish types.

In many cases, the same name appears across markets, menus, and packaging, which makes recognition more important than exact classification.

• Salmon: A commonly eaten fish name widely used in fresh, frozen, and smoked forms.
• Tuna: A popular food fish name applied to several ocean fish sold in different cuts.
• Cod: A well-known edible fish name frequently listed in restaurants and frozen foods.
• Haddock: A food fish name often mentioned alongside cod in seafood menus.
• Tilapia: A widely eaten fish name commonly seen in home cooking and markets.
• Catfish: A food fish name used broadly for freshwater species with similar features.
• Mackerel: A commonly eaten fish name often grouped with oily fish.
• Sardine: A small food fish name frequently associated with tins and preserved fish.
• Anchovy: A food fish name often mentioned in sauces and preserved forms.
• Herring: A commonly eaten fish name used for fresh, pickled, and smoked products.
• Snapper: A food fish name used loosely for several similar-looking fish.
• Grouper: A fish name commonly used in seafood menus and fresh counters.

Types of Fish Used in Cooking

Fish names used in cooking often come from menus, recipes, or spoken instructions. However, these names may differ from scientific or regional labels, which can cause confusion.

Because of this, recognizing cooking-related fish names helps people understand what is being referenced without focusing on preparation details.

• Sea Bass: A cooking fish name commonly used on menus, often applied to different species.
• Halibut: A flatfish name frequently used in cooking and restaurant listings.
• Flounder: A cooking fish name often grouped with other flatfish.
• Sole: A flatfish name commonly used in formal menu descriptions.
• Swordfish: A cooking fish name recognized by its firm texture and large cuts.
• Marlin: A large fish name sometimes mentioned in cooked or grilled dishes.
• Red Snapper: A menu name often used broadly, regardless of exact species.
• Pollock: A cooking fish name commonly used in processed seafood products.
• Whiting: A fish name often mentioned in fried fish dishes.
• Basa: A cooking fish name frequently seen in markets and packaged foods.
• Swai: Another name used for the same fish sold under basa in some regions.

Types of Aquarium Fish

Aquarium fish names are usually learned visually, which is why people recognize them by appearance before name. However, many aquarium fish have similar shapes or colors, which leads to name confusion.

In many cases, these names are shared across stores, books, and casual conversation, making clear grouping useful.

• Goldfish: A very familiar aquarium fish name commonly kept in home tanks.
• Guppy: A small aquarium fish name often mentioned for beginner tanks.
• Betta: An aquarium fish name known for bright colors and flowing fins.
• Angelfish: A popular aquarium fish name recognized by its flat body shape.
• Neon Tetra: A small aquarium fish name commonly grouped with other tetras.
• Molly: An aquarium fish name often mentioned alongside guppies and platies.
• Platy: A small aquarium fish name frequently used in community tanks.
• Cichlid: A group name used for many aquarium fish with varied colors.
• Oscar: A large aquarium fish name often recognized by size and pattern.
• Discus: A round-bodied aquarium fish name known from display tanks.
• Pleco: A common aquarium fish name used for algae-eating catfish.

Fish Known by Different Names

Many fish are known by more than one name depending on region, market use, or everyday speech. Because of this variation, the same fish may be called something different in stores, menus, or conversation.

In many cases, these name changes happen without explanation, which is why grouping them clearly helps with recognition.

• Basa / Swai / Pangasius: Different market names used for the same freshwater fish.
• Sea Bass / Barramundi: Names that may refer to the same fish depending on region.
• Rockfish / Pacific Snapper: Market names often used for similar-looking species.
• Mahi-Mahi / Dolphinfish: Two common names used for the same ocean fish.
• Pollock / Alaska Pollock: Names used interchangeably on packaging and menus.
• Kingfish / Amberjack: Names that vary by country and local usage.
• Tilapia / Saint Peter’s Fish: Different names used in cultural and market contexts.
• Redfish / Red Drum: Names that change depending on region and label use.

Fish Names People Often Confuse

Fish names are often mixed up because they sound similar, appear together on menus, or are used loosely in everyday speech. As a result, people may think two names refer to the same fish when they actually point to different ones.

The table below highlights common fish name confusions, focusing only on recognition and naming, not detailed differences.

Commonly Confused Names	Why People Mix Them Up
Bass / Sea Bass	Similar wording, even though they often refer to different fish types.
Bream / Sea Bream	Shared name despite freshwater and saltwater usage differences.
Cod / Haddock	Frequently listed together on menus and in markets.
Sole / Flounder	Both are flat fish and often mentioned interchangeably.
Sardine / Anchovy	Small size and similar food use cause confusion.
Tuna / Bonito	Related names often used casually as the same fish.
Snapper / Red Snapper	General name used instead of the more specific label.
Mackerel / Kingfish	Market and regional naming overlap leads to mix-ups.

Fish vs Shellfish Names

Fish and shellfish names are often mentioned together on menus, in markets, and in everyday conversation, which is why they are frequently mixed up. However, these names refer to different groups, even though they appear side by side in seafood lists. Fish names such as salmon, tuna, cod, snapper, and mackerel usually describe finned fish that people recognize from food and packaging.

Shellfish names, on the other hand, refer to seafood like shrimp, prawn, crab, lobster, clam, mussel, oyster, and squid. In many cases, these names are grouped together for convenience rather than accuracy, which causes confusion in everyday speech. For this reason, recognizing how fish and shellfish names are commonly listed helps clarify what people mean when these terms are used in menus, labels, and conversation.

Types of Fish A–Z

Fish names are often searched alphabetically for quick recognition rather than detailed grouping. Because of this, an A–Z list helps readers find names as they appear on menus, labels, or in conversation. In everyday English, these names are used broadly, so brief recognition notes are included.

• A – Anchovy: A small fish name commonly linked with preserved and canned seafood.
• B – Barramundi: A fish name used in markets and menus, also known by regional names.
• C – Cod: A widely recognized fish name often seen in restaurants and frozen foods.
• D – Dolphin Fish: A fish name also known as mahi-mahi, not related to dolphins.
• E – Eel: A long-bodied fish name commonly mentioned in food and river contexts.
• F – Flounder: A flat fish name often confused with sole.
• G – Grouper: A sea fish name frequently listed in seafood markets.
• H – Haddock: A fish name often mentioned alongside cod on menus.
• I – Icefish: A fish name used for several cold-water species in markets.
• J – Jackfish: A general fish name applied to several fast-swimming sea fish.
• K – Koi: A carp-related fish name commonly associated with ornamental ponds.
• L – Lobefish: A less common fish name sometimes listed in regional references.
• M – Mackerel: A widely known fish name often grouped with oily fish.
• N – Needlefish: A slender fish name recognized by its long, narrow shape.
• O – Opah: A large ocean fish name also called moonfish.
• P – Perch: A freshwater fish name commonly used for lake fish.
• Q – Queenfish: A fish name used in coastal and market listings.
• R – Red Snapper: A fish name often used broadly in menus and markets.
• S – Salmon: A very familiar fish name widely used in food contexts.
• T – Tuna: A major fish name applied to several ocean species.
• U – Unicornfish: A reef fish name known from tropical waters.
• V – Vendace: A freshwater fish name used mainly in Europe.
• W – Whitefish: A general fish name used for several related species.
• X – X-ray Tetra: A small aquarium fish name commonly listed by hobbyists.
• Y – Yellowtail: A fish name used in markets for several similar species.
• Z – Zander: A freshwater fish name often confused with perch.

Fish Names Used in Markets

Fish names used in markets are often simplified or adjusted for everyday buying and selling. Because of this, the same fish may appear under slightly different names depending on location or labeling style.

In many cases, these names are chosen for familiarity rather than precision, which is why recognition matters more than classification.

• Red Snapper: A market name often used broadly for similar-looking fish.
• Sea Bass: A common label applied to different fish across regions.
• Whitefish: A general market term used for several pale-fleshed fish.
• Rockfish: A market name covering multiple related species.
• Panga: A shortened market name used for pangasius in many regions.
• Basa: A market name often seen alongside swai for the same fish.

FAQs About Fish Types

Conclusion

This article covered types of fish by focusing on names people commonly see, hear, and use. By grouping fish names across habitats, food use, markets, and common confusion points, recognition becomes clearer. As a result, readers can better understand fish names as they appear in everyday settings, menus, labels, and conversation.

Read More

• Types of Shellfish
• Types of Goldfish
• Seafood Names