Fish are such amazing creatures. According to the National Park Service, “Fish biologists have described more than 30,000 species of fish in the world.” Fish exhibit an astonishingly diverse range of colors, sizes, shapes, and behaviors, and while you might be inclined to think that all fish swim well and fast, that’s not true. Take the red-lipped batfish, for example: this type of fish is said to “walk” instead of swim on account of how its pectoral fins have adapted to function more like legs than like fins.
Speed is not a defining feature of all fish, but in the case of fish that swim so fast, they might as well be called the cheetahs of the ocean. In this blog post, we’ll focus on the top five fastest fish in the world so you can learn about the five species of fish that would qualify for the Olympics if indeed that were possible.
So, what is the fastest fish in the world? Let’s begin the countdown so you can soon find out!
#5 Fastest Fish in the World: Mako Shark
Don’t forget that sharks are fish, too! The mako shark can swim up to 45 miles per hour. Save Our Seas notes that the shortfin mako shark can reach high speeds on account of its “streamlined, torpedo-shaped body, powerful muscular tail and specially adapted skin.” Whether they’re hunting for equally speedy prey (such as tuna and swordfish), squid, or sometimes even marine mammals, mako sharks consistently combine their agility with short bursts of speed to catch their chosen meal.
#4 Fastest Fish in the World: Wahoo
It seems fitting that the wahoo is the fourth fastest fish in the world. We say this because the name itself implies a sense of thrill, of action—they are swimming through the water (wahoo!) and as they swim, they can reach a top speed of up to 48 miles per hour! Like other fast fish that have made our “Top 5 Fastest Fish in the World” list, this type of fish presents a real challenge for the anglers who are interested in trying to catch it. Nicknamed “Texas Torpedo,” wahoo are not only fast but also impressively long, as they can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh approximately 150 pounds!
#3 Fastest Fish in the World: Striped Marlin
The third-fastest fish in the ocean is the striped marlin. This fish gets its name from the unmistakable stripes that appear on the sides of its body. These beautiful fish reside in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, and they can swim up to 50 miles per hour. The striped marlin’s elongated tail lobes are said to contribute to its incredible swimming ability because the lobes reach past the turbulence created by the marlin’s body as it swims.
#2 Fastest Fish in the World: Swordfish
Regarded as one of the fastest and most powerful predatory fish in the ocean, swordfish can swim up to 60 miles per hour. Their muscular and aerodynamic bodies—not to mention the pointy bills they use to slash prey—make them a rather formidable fish that’s capable of hunting in deep, cold waters. Fascinatingly, scientists hypothesize that they may be one of the fastest fish in the world on account of the oil that’s produced in an organ at the base of their bill. The oil secretes a mix of fatty acids that repel water and create “a super-hydrophobic layer that reduces streamwise friction drag and increases swimming efficiency.”
#1 Fastest Fish in the World: Indo-Pacific Sailfish
So what is the fastest fish in the world? According to the Australian Museum, the title goes to the Indo-Pacific Sailfish, which can reach up to 68 miles per hour. To put that speed in perspective, imagine traveling in a car going 70 miles per hour—that’s quite fast, especially considering that this fish is propelling itself through water, which is much denser than air. According to the University of Notre Dame, drag is likely a contributing factor to the sailfish’s remarkably high speed: “Due to their hydrodynamic characteristics, sailfish have a very low drag coefficient, which is the quantity used to describe the resistance of an object moving through fluid. Sailfish have a drag coefficient of 0.0075, which is similar to smaller fish such as pike, dogfish, and small trout. Additionally, due to their size, sailfish are able to generate much more force with each swimming motion than their smaller peers. The combination of these two factors allows them to move at such high speeds. The thing that truly sets sailfish apart, though, is this ability to retract their sail and pectoral fins. Studies show that when the sail and other fins were retracted, sailfish are able to reduce their drag by about 18%. With less drag to worry about, the fish can be more efficient in generating thrust from its swimming motion, which allows it to speed ahead of the competition.” Speed ahead of the competition it does, considering that the sailfish claims the number one spot on our “Top 5 Fastest Fish in the World” list!
Book Your Harbor Breeze Cruise Today
Now that we’ve shared the top five fastest fish in the world with you—plus answered the question, “What is the fastest fish?” we’d like to take this opportunity to invite you on a Harbor Breeze Cruise!
Harbor Breeze Cruises proudly offers daily whale watching cruises on our eco-friendly catamarans, and we’d be thrilled if you joined us! Unlike the fish you’ve learned about in this article, our catamarans maintain a slow, steady speed on the Pacific Ocean. This gives you the chance to try to spot marine wildlife and capture incredible photos.
If you’re interested in purchasing tickets, call us at 562-983-6880 or make your reservation online. Our whale watching cruises are suitable for all ages, and we encourage you to experience one! We’ll do everything we can to ensure that you have an amazing time from the moment you board the catamaran and select your seat that will afford you a stunning, panoramic view of the ocean.
