There are thousands of fish species on Earth, many with unique names and unique appearances. Have you ever wondered if there are any popular fish whose names start with ‘u’? It turns out there are plenty of fish whose names start with ‘u’.
In this list, we’re going to list down 75+ popular fish that start with u. Some of these fish include Upside-down catfish, Utah sucker, Uaru cichlid, Unicorn fish, Umatilla dace, Ukrainian brook lamprey, and the Umbrella cichlid.
Read on to discover the list of popular fish whose names start with ‘u’. Happy reading!
Contents
75+ Popular fish that start with u
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1. Upside-down catfish
The upside-down catfish is one of the most unique fish that starts with the letter ‘u’. The scientific name for this fish is Synodontis nigriventris.
The fish has been given this name due to the upside-down manner in which it swims. This unusual swimming position allows the upside-down catfish to feed more efficiently on the surface of the water.
This species originates in Central Africa, particularly in the Congo River basin. It is a really popular species with a distinct appearance. The body of the upside-down catfish is light brown, with dark blotches all over the body. It is essentially a dwarf fish since adults can only grow up to a length of 4 inches.
Upside-down catfish are social creatures that make good aquarium fish. They are peaceful in nature and easy to care for. They can survive in water temperatures ranging from 72 to 79 Fahrenheit and pH ranging from 6 to 7.5.
2. Uaru Cichlid
The Uaru cichlid is another freshwater species whose name begins with ‘u’. The scientific name for the fish is Uaru amphiacanthoides. It is native to the waters of the Amazon River and is not a common aquarium fish in the United States.
The Uaru cichlid has a distinct appearance. In most adults, the body has a gray/silver color with a large dark spot in the middle. This fish is a large one and can grow up to a length of 25 or 30 cm.
Due to its large size, the Uaru cichlid needs a large aquarium that can comfortably accommodate it. It thrives well in soft water and likes swimming in populated aquariums.
This species is also very friendly and intelligent and gets along well with most other species. While Uaru cichlids initially might have trouble adjusting in an aquarium, they’re relatively easy to care for once they have adapted to the new environment.
3. Umbrella Cichlid
Here’s another fish whose name starts with ‘u’: the Umbrella cichlid. The scientific name for this fish is Apistogramma borellii.
The fish is native to central South America, particularly southern Paraguay and Brazil, and northern Argentina. This fish can be found in the tributaries and creeks of river basins of major rivers.
The Umbrella cichlid can grow up to a length ranging from 5 to 6.5 cm on average. The fish has a distinct and beautiful appearance with its body having an opal blue color. Like other species of dwarf cichlids, male fish are more colorful than female ones.
The Umbrella cichlid has many features and traits that make it perfect for keeping in aquariums. These include a beautiful appearance and friendly behavior towards other species.
Moreover, these fish are also really easy to take care of and are quite unfussy. For aquariums, the water should have a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 and the minimum size of the tank should be between 15 and 20 gallons
4. Unicorn fish
The Unicorn fish is another fish that begins with ‘u’. Its scientific name is Naso brevirostris. The fish has a very distinct appearance and is primarily found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. The fish roam the tropical waters of these oceans in groups and typically feed on algae.
The Unicorn fish can grow up to a length ranging from 50 to 60 cm on average and has a long horn jutting out from its forehead. The skin of these fish is smooth and their bodies have a bluish-gray color. Some fish also have brown/olive bodies.
These fish can also be added to aquariums and thrive well with other species. In most cases, they are peaceful creatures that get along well with other fish. However, they do have a tendency to exhibit hostile behavior towards their own species and can even fight them.
5. Umatilla Dace
The Umatilla dace is another fish whose name starts with ‘u’. The scientific name for the fish is Rhinichthys Umatilla. It is primarily found in the drainage basin of the Columbia River in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the US states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
The average size of a Umatilla dace is about 12 cm. The fish usually has a dark-colored upper body and a lighter lower body. The body has a pattern of light-colored spots and streaks. The Umatilla dace prefers habitats with fast-flowing water, such as near riverbanks.
The Umatilla dace faces some threats due to the construction of dams and other major structures that can change aquatic ecosystems to a great extent. The introduction of silt into water channels can also pose serious risks to these fish and may reduce their population.
6. Ukrainian brook lamprey
The Ukrainian brook lamprey is yet another fish that begins with the letter ‘u’. The scientific name for the species is Eudontomyzon mariae.
This species of lamprey are found in freshwater bodies in central and eastern Europe. Countries in which these fish are found include Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Russia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.
The Ukrainian brook lamprey can grow up to a length of 20 to 22 cm on average. It is found in bodies of water such as lakes, brooks, and rivers and thrives well in clean, clear water having a strong current.
Like other species of lamprey, the Ukrainian brook lamprey has a special life cycle different from that of other fish. The fish is also quite sensitive to pollution in water bodies. Activities such as the construction of structures that hinder the flow of water can create problems for these fish.
7. Utah sucker
The Utah sucker is a large freshwater fish that can grow up to over 60cm in length. Its scientific name is Catostomus ardens. It is found primarily in the Snake River system and other drainage basins in the states of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming.
This species can also live and survive in a range of different habitats, such as rivers, streams, and lakes. It can also survive in both cold and warm water.
When it comes to appearance, the Utah sucker has a gray/black upper body with faint streaks and blotches and a white belly. Its mouth is located below its snout and its lips are thick. The dorsal fin of the fish has 13 rays while its anal fin has 7.
The Utah sucker is not a threatened species but some populations might be reducing due to a variety of environmental factors.
Other fish starting from u
Let’s take a look at some other fish starting from ‘u’. Here is an extensive list of other fish whose names start with ‘u’.
8. Uganda nothobranch (Nothobranchius ugandensis)
9. Umbrina imberbis
10. Umbrina milliae
11. Umpqua dace (Rhinichthys evermanni)
12. Umpqua chub (Oregonichthys kalawatseti)
13. Uegitglanis zammaranoi
14. Umbrina reedi
15. U-mark sandperch (Parapercis snyderi)
16. Uncisudis advena
17. Uncisudis longirostra
18. Uncinate sculpin
19. Uncombed blenny (Haptoclinus apectolophus)
20. Underjaw kingfish
21. Uncisudis posteropelvis
22. Undulate painted ray
23. Umpqua squawfish
24. Undistinguished sabretooth
25. Ungusurculus komodoensis
26. Undulated moray
27. Ungusurculus collettei
28. Ungusurculus philippinensis
29. Ungusurculus sundaensis
30. Ungusurculus williamsi
31. Ungusurculus riauensis
32. Unicorn grenadier
33. Unicorn icefish
34. Unicorn leatherjacket
35. Unicolor moray
36. Unicorn crestfish
37. Unicorn sole
38. Union snook
39. Upeneichthys stotti
40. United-lip Gudgeon
41. Upeneus filifer
42. Upeneus guttatus
43. Upeneus mascareinsis
44. Upeneus mouthami
45. Upeneus quadrilineatus
46. Upeneus australiae
47. Upeneus crosnieri
48. Upjaw barb
49. Upper Grijalva livebearer
50. Upland bully
52. Upper Zambezi nembwe
53. Upper Zambezi yellowfish
54. Upper Zambesi labeo
55. Upside-down goby
56. Upsidedown Catfish
57. Upturned snout rattail
58. Upside-down harptail blenny
59. Usamacinta buffalo
60. Uropterygius wheeleri
61. Uruguay river sprat
62. Ursinoscorpaenopsis kitai
63. Urotrygon cimar
64. Ussuri catfish
65. Ussuri sharpbelly
66. Uruguay tetra
67. Uropterygius genie
68. Usangu lampeye
69. Utiaritichthys longidorsalis
70. Usumacinta cichlid
71. Utah Lake sculpin
72. Uruguayan eartheater
73. Utiaritichthys sennaebragai
74. Ussuri sharpbelly
75. Utah chub
76. Usumacinta sea catfish
Final thoughts
In this guide, we listed down 75+ popular fish that start with ‘u’. These fish belong to different species, have different shapes and sizes, and are found in different parts of the world.
While there aren’t as many fish whose names start with ‘u’ as perhaps those starting from other letters, we still managed to collect over 75 of them. Thank you for reading and we hope you found this guide helpful and informative!
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.