Names of Fish Species Beginning With M

You may have heard of a muskie, a mackerel, or a monkfish, but are you familiar with a mustache Zamora? Do you know the scientific names for any of these species? Understanding both common and scientific names of fish helps when researching and talking about specific species. It never hurts when you're trying to sound like an expert, as common names for a fish species may vary, but the scientific name is consistent around the world. Here are some of the many fish names that start with M.

Madagascar Rainbowfish: Characteristics and Habitat

Bedotia geayi. A freshwater fish inhabits the Mananjary River basin in Madagascar. It is a small fish, reaching up to 9 cm in length, and it prefers the calm, shaded waters of small streams.

Malawi Eye-Biter

Dimidiochromis compressiceps. A native of Lake Malawi, Africa, this aggressive cichlid is known to bite the eyes out of prey (thus the nickname). It also devours its prey starting with the tail, perhaps the only predator that does this.

Mangrove Red Snapper

Lutjanus argentimaculatus. A subtropical reef-dwelling fish found in waters from East Africa to Samoa and Australia. They are a prized food fish in the Indo-Pacific region but are difficult to catch in large numbers because they tend not to group together.

Many Banded Shell-Dweller

Neolamprologus multifasciatus. Native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa, this territorial fish lays its eggs in empty snail shells, which it then buries until only the shell opening is exposed.

Marbled Hatchetfish

Carnegiella strigata. A small (up to 3.5 cm) species found in rivers of South America. They like blackwater—dark, acidic water full of decaying organic matter. They must be kept in tanks with lids because they can jump out of the water when startled.

Masked Julie Cichlid

Julidochromis transcriptus. At 7 cm in length, this is the smallest species of the "Julie" cichlids. Found near the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Africa. Common coloring includes black and white striping and a bright blue line along its fins.

Mudskipper

Periophthalmus novemradiatus. Also called Indian Mudskipper, a brackish-water amphibius fish native to the Bay of Bengal, India. They can climb out of the water in search of insects to eat. They must be kept in an aquarium with a tight lid because they can use their pelvic fins to climb the tank walls.