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Last update: November 14, 2022

75+ Popular Fish That Start With M

Some of the most popular fish that start with the letter M include:

  • Moray eel (Muraenidae)
  • Mudskipper (Oxudercinae)
  • Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
  • Maddenia fish (astrapothere)
  • Mahseer (Tor putitora)
  • Mangrove killifish (Kryptolebias marmoratus)
  • Milksop pygmy angelfish (Centropyge)
  • Moenkhausia (Moenkhausia)
  • Molly fish (Poecilia sphenops)
  • Mummichog fish (Fundulus heteroclitus)

If you are looking for the perfect fish pet for your aquarium and to learn more about fish names, read on to the end of this post.

Popular Fish That Start With M

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1. Moray eel (Muraenidae)

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With their long snake-like bodies and razor-sharp teeth, moray eels certainly look intimidating.

In fact, they’ve even been nicknamed the “underwater dragon.” But despite their fierce appearance, moray eels are actually quite shy creatures.

Habitat and Distribution

Moray eels are found in tropical and subtropical waters all over the world. They tend to prefer sheltered areas such as reefs, caves, shipwrecks, and tide pools. Some species of moray eel can even be found in brackish water (a mix of fresh and salt water).

Appearance

Moray eels can grow to be quite large—some species can reach lengths of up to 13 feet! Most moray eels have a dark brown or greenish coloration, which helps them blend in with their surroundings.

They also have small eyes, which are often hidden behind long, thin spiracles (breathing holes).

Diet and Hunting Behavior

Moray eels are carnivores that primarily feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans. To capture their prey, they will often lie in wait for hours at a time before striking with lightning speed.

Once they’ve grabbed hold of their victim, they will pull it into their hiding place using their powerful body muscles.

2. Milksop pygmy angelfish (Centropyge)

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As you might expect from their name, Milksop Pygmy Angelfish are very small fish. In fact, they are one of the smallest species of angelfish, reaching a maximum size of just 2.5 inches.

Males and females look similar, although males tend to be slightly larger than females. Both sexes have a beautiful coloration, with a base color of yellow or orange that is adorned with blue and white stripes. The number and thickness of the stripes can vary depending on the individual fish.

3. Molly fish (Poecilia sphenops)

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Molly fish are a type of freshwater fish that are popular among aquarium enthusiasts. They are easy to care for and are known for their playful personalities. Molly fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, making them a beautiful addition to any home aquarium.

Molly fish are typically peaceful and can be kept with other peaceful fish species. However, they can be territorial with other molly fish of the same sex. It is best to keep one male molly with two or three females, or a group of all females.

Molly fish prefer warm water, so it is important to maintain a consistent water temperature in the aquarium. They also need plenty of places to hide, so be sure to include plenty of plants and rocks in their tank. A well-oxygenated environment is also important for molly fish.

4. Moenkhausia (Moenkhausia)

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Moenkhausia are found in slow-moving rivers and streams in South America. In the wild, they typically inhabit areas with plenty of vegetation. In the aquarium, they should be kept in a tank with similar conditions.

Moenkhausia are peaceful fish that do well in community tanks. They can be kept with other peaceful fish of a similar size.

5. Mudskipper (Oxudercinae)

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Mudskippers are a type of fish that is able to live and move about on land. They are native to Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Mudskippers spend most of their time out of the water, and can be found in marshes, mudflats, and mangrove forests. Anatomy of a Mudskipper

Mudskippers are small to medium-sized fish. They have long bodies and short fins. Their pectoral fins are large and well-developed, which helps them move about on land.

Mudskippers also have gills that allow them to breathe air. These gills are located on the sides of their heads and are protected by a flap of skin when they are out of the water.

Mudskippers use their pectoral fins to walk on land. They are able to move quite quickly using this method of locomotion. When they want to go faster, they will often run on their tails.

Mudskippers can also climb trees and bushes. Their eyes are located on top of their heads, which allows them to see even when they are buried in mud!

Diet and Behavior

Mudskippers are carnivores. They will eat just about anything they can find, including insects, crustaceans, molluscs, earthworms, lizards, and small mammals. To catch their prey, mudskippers will often lie in wait near the water’s edge and then dart out to snatch up their next meal.

Mudskippers are also known for their interesting courtship rituals. The males will often build nests out of mud and then try to attract a mate by displaying their colorful fins and singing songs! If you’re ever

near a body of water with mudflats or marshes, keep your eyes peeled for these fascinating creatures the next time you go for a walk.

6. Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)

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Mudpuppies are a type of fish that are often found in areas with high levels of muddy water. As their name suggests, they have a mud-colored body that helps them blend in with their surroundings.

While they are not the most popular fish to eat, they are considered to be a good source of food for those who live in areas where they are commonly found.

Mudpuppies are scavengers and will often eat anything that they can find. This includes other fish, insects, and even small mammals. Due to their diet, mudpuppies can often be found near areas where there is a lot of rotting vegetation.

Mudpuppies are not the easiest fish to catch due to their mud-colored body and their ability to blend in with their surroundings. However, those who are able to catch them can cook them in a variety of ways.

Mudpuppy soup is a popular dish in many parts of the world where these fish are commonly found.

7. Maddenia fish (astrapothere)

The Maddenia Fish is a beautiful, brightly colored freshwater fish that is native to the Maddenia region. It is a popular choice for aquariums because of its peaceful nature.

The Maddenia fish gets along well with other fish and does not cause any problems in the aquarium. It is an omnivorous fish, which means it eats both plants and animals. The diet of the Maddenia fish consists of small insects, crustaceans, and plant matter.

The Maddenia fish is a hardy fish and can live in a variety of different environments. It can live in both cold water and warm water. The Maddenia fish does not need any special care and can be kept in a regular aquarium.

The only thing that the Maddenia fish needs is plenty of hiding places. This is because the Maddenia fish is a timid fish and gets scared easily. Hiding places will help the Maddenia fish feel safe and secure in the aquarium.

8. Mangrove killifish  (Kryptolebias marmoratus)

Mangrove killifish are small fish, averaging only 2-3 inches in length. They are brightly colored, with males being more colorful than females.

The colors of mangrove killifish can vary depending on the location, but they are typically some combination of blue, green, yellow, and orange. Mangrove killifish have long, slender bodies that are well-suited for navigating their complicated habitats.

Mangrove killifish are found in brackish water habitats throughout the Indo-Pacific region. These habitats are often murky and filled with debris, making them difficult for other animals to navigate.

However, the long, slender bodies of mangrove killifish allow them to swim easily through these environments. In addition, their bright colors help them to stand out against the dark background of their habitats.

Mangrove killifish have several unique adaptations that allow them to live in their harsh environments.

For example, they have a special type of scales that helps them to resist getting parasites. They also have long fins that help them to maneuver through their complicated habitats.

In addition, mangrove killifish can tolerate a wide range of salinity levels, which allows them to live in both fresh and saltwater habitats.

9. Mummichog fish (Fundulus heteroclitus)

Mummichogs are small fish, usually only growing to be 4-6 inches long. They are olive green or brown in color, with a white underbelly. They have a dark stripe that runs along their side, from their gill to their tail.

Mummichogs are able to tolerate a wide range of salinity levels, as well as temperature extremes. This makes them ideal for use as bait fish, as they can be caught in both fresh and saltwater.

In fact, mummichogs are so hardy that they have even been known to live out of water for up to four days!

Mummichogs are omnivorous feeders and will eat just about anything they can fit into their mouths. Their diet consists of small invertebrates, such as amphipods and copepods, as well as algae and other plant matter.

Due to their diet, mummichogs play an important role in the marshes where they live by helping to control the population of invertebrates.

10. Mahseer (Tor putitora)

The Mahseer fish is a member of the carp family. The Mahseer fish is found in rivers in India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. The Mahseer fish is also found in the river systems of Myanmar and Thailand. The Mahseer fish is an important food fish in South Asia.

The Mahseer fish grows to a large size. The average length of the Mahseer fish is 1 meter. However, the largest recorded Mahseer fish was 2.8 meters long and weighed 40 kg. The Mahseer fish is a popular food fish because of its large size and its delicious taste.

The Mahseer fish is an omnivorous fish. The diet of the Mahseer fish includes insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes.

The Mahseer fish is an important commercial fishery species in South Asia. In India, the annual production of the Mahseerfish was estimated to be 10,000 tonnes in 2013.

In Pakistan, the annual production of the Mahseerfish was estimated to be 3,000 tonnes in 2013.

The Mahseerfish is also popular as a gamefish. The Mahseerfish is a prized catch for anglers because of its large size and its vigorous fight when hooked.

Freshwater fish that begin wih the letter M:

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Moonfish
  1. Marlier’s Julie:Julidochromis marlieri

2. Moore’s Lamprologus:Variabilichromis moorii

3. Manchurian Loach:Leptobotia mantschurica

4. Marylin’s Pencilfish:Nannostomus marylinae

5. Moonfish “Red Wag”:Xiphophorus maculatus “Red Wag”

6. Moss Barb:Capoeta tetrazona

7. Marbled Lamprologus:Lepidiolamprologus attenuatus

8. Marbled Headstander:Abramites hypselonotus

9. Molly:Poecilia latipinna

10. Mosaic Gourami:Trichogaster leeri

11. Modest Loach:Botia modesta

12. Marigold Swordtail:Xiphophorus helleri

13. Magnificent Rasbora:Rasbora borapetensis

14. Meridionalis Gray Bichir:Polypterus senegalus meridionalis

15. Malabar Pufferfish:Tetraodon travancorius

16. Midas Cichlid:Amphilophus citrinellus

17. Macculloch’s Rainbowfish:Melanotaenia maccullochi

18. Moonfish “Vtiatus Sunset”:Xiphophorus maculatus “Vtiatus Sunset”

Saltwater fish that start with S

  1. Mickey Mouse Platy:Xiphophorus maculatus

2. Mottled Ctenopoma:Ctenopoma oxrynchum

3. Marbled Bichir: Polypterus palmas

4. Marbled Otocinclus:Otocinclus paulinus

5. Malawi Eye-Biter:Dimidiochromis compressiceps

6. Mottled Stingray: Potamotrygon hystrix

7. Many-Spotted Cory:Corydoras polystictus

8. Mexican Tetra:Astyanax fasciatus mexicanus

9. Marbled Swamp Eel: Synbranchus marmoratus

10. Macmaster’s Dwarf Cichlid:Apistogramma macmasteri

11. Mono:Monodactylus argenteus

12. Moonlight Gourami:Trichogaster microlepis

13. Mexican Sailfin Molly:Poecilia velifera

14. Molly “Black”:Poecilia sphenops

15. Motoro Stingray:Potamotrygon motoro

16. Montezuma helleri:Xiphophorus montizumae

17. Marakeli Cichlid:Paratilapia polleni “Madagascar”

18. Millions Fish:Poecilia reticulata

19. Malawi Blue Dolphin:Cyrtocara moorii

Tropical fish that start with S

1. Malawi Golden Cichlid:Melanochromis auratus

2. Marigold Wag Swordtail:Xiphophorus helleri

3. Malarmo Catfish:Duopalatinus malarmo

4. Marbled Sleeper Goby:Oxyeleotris marmorata

5. Madeirae Swamp Eel:Synbranchus madeirae

6. Marbled Livingston’s Hap:Nimbochromis livingstonii

7. Malay Combtail:Belontia hasselti

8. Mexican Swordtail:Xiphophorus montizumae

Ian Sterling

Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.

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