Have you ever wondered what fish start with the letter I?
There are quite a few different fish that fall into this category, and here, we’ll take a look at some of them.
Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or just curious about fish names, this is the list for you, so, without further ado, let’s get started!
List of Fish Beginning With I
There aren’t too many fish that starts with I when compared to the other letters. While the letter I may be lacking in fish names, there are many interesting species of fish here, including sharks and beautiful tank fish.
We’ve split them into freshwater and saltwater fish and highlighted the most popular fish in each of these groups along with their scientific names.
Let’s check them out!
Freshwater Fish Beginning With I
Ice Blue Red Top Zebra (Metriaclima greshakei)
The Ice Blue Red Top Zebra (Metriaclima greshakei) is a species of fish native to Lake Malawi in Africa. The fish is easily recognizable by its bright blue and red coloration.
The fish is relatively peaceful and can be kept in an aquarium with other fish species. However, the fish does require a large tank, as it can grow to be up to 8 inches in length. Overall, they are a beautiful and hardy fish that makes a great addition to any freshwater aquarium.
Indian Glassfish (Parambassis ranga)
The Indian Glassfish (Parambassis ranga) is a tropical freshwater fish native to India and Bangladesh. It grows to a length of around 4 inches (10 cm) and is characterized by its transparent body.
They are a popular aquarium fish and are also used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Their transparency makes it difficult for predators to identify and eat them, which can lead to population explosions.
As a result, they have the potential to cause significant ecological damage if left unchecked.
Indian Spiny Loach (Lepidocephalichthys thermalis)
The Indian Spiny Loach (Lepidocephalichthys thermalis) is a species of fish native to India and Nepal. It is a member of the Cobitidae family, which includes other loaches such as the clown loach and the weather loach.
It grows to a maximum length of 15 cm (6 in) and is characterized by its spiny fins and dark coloration. Its diet consists primarily of small invertebrates, which it hunts using its keen sense of smell.
The Indian Spiny Loach is a popular aquarium fish and is often kept in community tanks with other peaceful fish species. However, it can be shy and reclusive and may hide for long periods if it feels threatened.
Iridescent Shark (Pangasius hypophthalmus)
The Iridescent Shark, also known as the Pangasius hypophthalmus, is a freshwater fish that is native to Southeast Asia. With one of the most common fish names, this is a member of the catfish family and can grow to be over three feet long.
Iridescent Sharks are characterized by their iridescent silver scales and long, flowing fins.
It is a popular aquarium fish and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. Iridescent Sharks are omnivores, and their diet includes algae, small crustaceans, and worms. It is a hardy fish and can live for up to 15 years.
As far as fish names go, the Iridescent Shark is a bit misleading as this is a peaceful fish, but it can be territorial towards other fish, so you need to be careful choosing tank mates.
It is not recommended for beginners, as it requires a large tank and regular care.
Inexpectatum Pleco (Hypoptopoma inexpectatum)
This is a small freshwater fish that is native to South America. Pleco, like cichlids and sharks, is another of the common names for fish, and this is a genus of the family Loricariidae, which includes over 700 species of armored catfishes.
It gets its name from its unique appearance; it has a long body and a broad, flattened head, and its skin is covered in small, bony plates.
Unlike most other plecos, they don’t have any Barbels (filaments that hang from the mouth). It is tan or brown in coloration, with dark spots on its fins.
The Inexpectatum Pleco grows to an average length of 4-5 inches (10-12 cm). It is a peaceful fish that does well in community tanks. It is a bottom-dweller and does not require special feeding. It will feed on algae, detritus, and small insects.
The Inexpectatum Pleco is a hardy fish and relatively easy to care for. It is an ideal choice for beginner aquarists.
Other freshwater fish starting with I:
- Iberian Barbel (Luciobarbus comizo)
- Iberian Nase (Chondrostoma polylepis)
- Ide (Leuciscus idus)
- Ilisha (Tenualosa ilisha)
- Inanga (Galaxias maculatus)
- Inconnu (Stenodus nelma)
- Indian coolie-loach
- Iraq blind barb
Saltwater Fish Beginning With I
Icefish (Chionodraco hamatus)
Icefish are a type of fish that live in the frigid waters of Antarctica. They are the only known vertebrates to lack red blood cells, and as a result, they are translucent and not colorful.
Icefish are also unique in that they have antifreeze proteins in their blood, which allows them to withstand the freezing temperatures of their habitat. These proteins bind to ice crystals, preventing them from growing.
Despite their unusual features, icefish are not aggressive creatures that pose no threat to humans. In fact, they are often considered to be a food delicacy by those lucky enough to taste them.
Other saltwater fish starting with I:
- Imposter trevally
- Indian mackerels (Rastrelliger)
- Indonesian bamboo shark
- Inshore hagfish
At Aquarium Labs, she's dedicated to assisting more people discover pleasure in fishkeeping and teaching them how to develop into expert pet parents.
