List of largest fish

• Hagfish (Myxini) :Hagfish are among the most primitive extant vertebrates. There is only one order and family in this animal class. All of the 77 known species have elongated, eel-like bodies but can be distinguished by their downward-facing mouths. The largest form is the goliath hagfish (Eptatretus goliath). This species can range up to in length and weigh to . • Lampreys (Petromyzontiformes) feeding on a lake trout :Lampreys, as with the hagfish, appear eel-like in shape. They have cartilaginous skeletons and have been evolving separately from any other group for over 400 million years. They are predatory and often attach themselves to a fish or other small animal and gradually drain blood and organs. The largest species is the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), which can grow to and weigh . == Armored fish (Placodermi) ==

'' The largest fish of the now-extinct class Placodermi was the giant predatory Dunkleosteus. The largest and most well-known species was D. terrelli, which grew almost in length Engelman (2023), using an ellipsoid volumetric method, estimated weights of 950–1,200 kilograms (2,090–2,650 lb) for typical (3.41 metres (11.2 ft) long) adult Dunkleosteus, and weights of 1,494–1,764 kilograms (3,294–3,889 lb) for the largest (4.1 metres (13.5 ft)) individual. Its filter feeding relative, Titanichthys, may have rivaled it in size. Titanichthys reached a length of though in older paper it was estimated at . However, according to a 2023 paper, it would have been the same size as Dunkleosteus. == Cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) ==

and a human The cartilaginous fish are not directly related to the "bony fish," but are sometimes lumped together for simplicity in description. The largest living cartilaginous fish, of the order Orectolobiformes, is the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), of the world's tropical oceans. It is also the largest living animal that is not a cetacean and, like the largest whales, it is a docile creature that filter-feeds on tiny plankton. An average adult of this species measures long and weighs an average of 9 tonnes. The largest verified specimen was caught in 1949 off Karachi, Pakistan and was long and weighed . Although many are dubious, there are several reports of larger whale sharks, with reliable sources citing unverified specimens of up to and or possibly up to . The extinct Megalodon is estimated to have been the largest cartilaginous fish as well as largest non-tetrapod fish. It was macropredatory feeding mainly on marine mammals. With maximum total length estimates ranging from . The largest of the "requiem sharks" in the family Carcharhinidae is disputed. In axial length, it seems to be the dusky shark (C. obscurus), at up to and a weight of . However, the bulkier bull shark (C. leucas) has been estimated to weigh about in recent specimens that measured over long. The silky shark (C. falciformis) is another contender for the largest requiem shark at a maximum weight of and a maximum length of around . The largest hammerhead shark is the great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), which can reach and weigh at least . The most species-rich shark family, the catsharks, are fairly small-bodied. The largest, the nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris), can grow up to and a weight of at least . :Within the Triakidae family, also known as houndsharks, the largest is the heavily overfished school shark (Galeorhinus galeus), also known as the soupfin shark, which can reach up to and . Other large fish in the order are the leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata), with one specimen recorded at in length, and the common smoothhound (Mustelus mustelus) at . • Chimaeras (Chimaeriformes) :These odd, often translucent cartilaginous fish are typically quite small. The largest species is the carpenter's chimaera (Chimaera lignaria) of the oceans near Australia and New Zealand. It can reach up to in length and weigh . • Frill sharks and cow sharks (Hexanchiformes) :The largest of the frill sharks and cow shark is the bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus). This large species typically inhabits depths greater than , and has been recorded as deep as . The largest specimen known (caught off Cuba) reportedly weighed and measured long. • Mackerel sharks (Lamniformes) , the second largest living fish :Most species in this order grow quite large. The largest living species is the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) of the world's northern temperate oceans, also the second largest fish. The largest specimen, which was examined in 1851, measured long and weighed . The common thresher (Alopias vulpinus), can grow to and weigh over , but much of its length is comprised by its extreme tail. Odd and recently discovered giants also live in this order: the slender, sword-snouted goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni), with unweighted specimens of up to approximately , and the massive megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios), up to long and a weight of . :, thought to be the largest shark ever, pursuing two Eobalaenoptera whalesThe largest shark in the fossil record is the megalodon (Otodus megalodon), a colossal Neogene lamniform. The range of estimates of the maximum length for megalodon are from , with a mass ranging from . A related species reaches barely smaller sizes, the devil fish (Mobula mobular). It can grow up to a disk width, a total length of and a weight of at least . The largest stingray is generally accepted to be the short-tail stingray (Dasyatis brevicaudata''), found off the southern tip of Africa and Australasia, at up to across the disk and weighing more than . Although there are several large stingrays that at least approach this species' size. One, the giant freshwater stingray (Himantura polylepis), of the large rivers of South Asia, can weigh up to , measure up to in total length and have a disc span of . The largest verifiably recorded was and . Still, they are the largest of all freshwater exclusive (non-anadromous) fish. • Carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes) :The whale shark is the largest species in this order, reaching up to 20 meters long when fully mature. No other species in the order even approaches this size. The next largest species is the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), which can grow up to across the disk and weighing more than . • Sawfish (Pristiformes) :Distinguished by a long snout decorated with sharp teeth on the sides, these little-known cartilaginous fish are often reported to attain huge sizes. The definitive largest species is not known, although the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) and the green sawfish (P. zijsron), at up to reportedly , respectively, may be the largest. Weights of up to have been reported, possibly for the smalltooth species, but are not verified. The large-tooth sawfish (P. pristis) and freshwater sawfish (P. microdon) can both exceed . • Sawsharks (Pristiophoriformes) :Despite sharing a similar appearing snout adapted in both to shred fish prey, the sawsharks are typically much smaller than sawfish. The largest sawshark is the Sixgill sawshark (Pliotrema warreni) of the South Indian ocean, which can grow up to and weigh . • Skates and allies (Rajiformes) is largest species in the skate order :The largest and most diverse order of rays' largest species is the giant guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis) of the Red Sea and the Eastern Indian Ocean. The top size of the species is and . The largest of the skates is the flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) along with the blue skate (D. batis) (previously thought to be the same species, the common skate). D. batis can reach and , while D. intermedius can grow up to and weight . In North American waters, the largest is the big skate (Beringraja binoculata) of the Pacific Ocean, growing to , and . • Dogfish and allies (Squaliformes) :The largest known member of this order is the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), a giant predator of sub-Arctic waters. This species has been confirmed to reach as much as in length and a weight of , although specimens of up to have been reportedly caught. The Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus) has been measured only to and in a gravid female, although specimens up to an estimated have been scientifically observed. A single unconfirmed account exists of an enormous Pacific sleeper shark that potentially measured up to long. The Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi), a very common species, reaches the largest sizes of the "true dogfish" family. Specimens have been measured at up to and . • Angelsharks (Squatiniformes) :The largest of the bottom-dwelling angelsharks (named for their shape rather than disposition) is the common angelshark (Squatina squatina) of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. This species can grow up to long and weigh up to . • Electric rays (Torpediniformes) :The largest of the electric rays is Atlantic torpedo (Torpedo nobiliana). This fish can measure long and weigh . However, a length of and weight of is more typical. Females attain a larger size than males. Spiny sharks (Acanthodii) The largest of the now-extinct Acanthodii was Xylacanthus grandis, an ischnacanthiform based on a ~ long jaw bone. Based on the proportions of its relative Ischnacanthus, X. grandis had an estimated total length of . == Bony fish (Osteichthyes) ==

Ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) (Mola alexandrini), also known as the giant sunfish, is the heaviest of the bony fish. was mistakenly described as the same as Mola alexandrini, the heaviest bony fish. , the longest of all bony fish The largest living bony fish (superclass Osteichthyes, which includes both ray-finned and lobe-finned fish) are the lesser known southern sunfish (Mola alexandrini) also known as the giant sunfish, followed by widely distributed and better known ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and, both being members of the order Tetraodontiformes. The largest verified specimen belongs to the southern sunfish discovered dead near the Azores in the Atlantic has set the record for being the largest extant bony fish with the weight of . The record size ocean sunfish crashed into a boat off Bird Island, Australia in 1910 and measured from fin-to-fin, in length and weighed about , while the other record for the biggest bony fish is yet held by a Mola alexandrini which was also coincidentally in mass and in length, caught off in 1996 and misidentified as a Mola mola. As for length, the longest extant bony fish on earth is the giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne). Slender and compressed, it averages over long at maturity. A specimen caught in 1885 of in length weighed . The longest known example, which was hit by a steamship, was measured as long. However, a 2013 study which estimated the maximum size of the animal based on the largest specimens it is estimated that Leedsichthys would have a maximum length of and a maximum weight of . • Sturgeons and paddlefishes (Acipenseriformes) , one of the largest bony fish :The largest species is the beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) of the Caspian and Black seas, the only extant bony fish to rival the massiveness of the ocean sunfish. The largest specimen considered reliable (based on remains) was caught in the Volga estuary in 1827 and measured and weighed . The North American white sturgeon (Sinosturio transmontanus), is unverified to (more likely to ) and , with multiple fish verified at and . Chinese (S. sinensis) reach and , European oceanic (Acipenser sturio) , and the Russian sturgeon (Huso gueldenstaedtii) reach respectively. Atlantics (A. oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) with a weight of and Baikal sturgeons (Huso baerii) at are also considerably large. These fish are sometimes called the largest freshwater fish, but sturgeons spend a great deal of time in brackish water and switch back and forth between saltwater and freshwater environments in their life cycle. Also included in this order are the paddlefish and the Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius), which is now officially recognised as extinct by the IUCN (as of July 2022), is also a very large fish. Reportedly, fisherman as recently as the 1950s have caught paddlefish measuring up to in total length, although no specimen greater than has been scientifically measured. The weight of the Chinese paddlefish is reportedly . • Bonefish (Albuliformes) :The largest Albuliformes is the shortjaw bonefish (Albula glossodonta), which weighs up to and measures up to long. It is silvery in color with dusky fins. The bases of the pectoral fins are yellow. • Bowfins (Amiiformes) :The bowfin (Amia calva) is one of two extant species of its order, along with the emerald bowfin (Amia ocellicauda.) The most distinctive characteristic of the bowfin is its very long dorsal fin consisting of 145 to 250 rays, and running from mid-back to the base of the tail. The caudal fin is a single lobe, though heterocercal. They can grow up to in length, and weigh . • Eels (Anguilliformes) , the world's most massive eel :The largest species of "true eel," if measured in weight and overall bulk, is the European conger (Conger conger). The maximum size of this species has been reported to and a mass of , but possibly up to . Several moray eels can equal or exceed the previous eel in length but do not weigh as much. The longest fish in the order, at up to , is the slender giant moray (Strophidon sathete) of the Indo-Pacific oceans. • Silversides (Atheriniformes) :An order best known for its tiny representatives, the Argentinian silverside (Odontesthes bonariensis) is found primary in the freshwater bodies and brackish estuaries of Argentina and Chile, but also along the Argentinian coast. It is known locally as "pejerrey," a combination of the Spanish words for "fish" pez and "king" rey. The confirmed record stands at and , yet there are unconfirmed reports of the fish reaching up to and . The largest North American species of silverside is the jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. It often reaches a maximum size of , but possibly up to , with the largest recorded being . • Barreleyes, slickheads and argentines (Argentiniformes) :The largest species is the greater argentine (Argentina silus), that can reach TL. :The largest barreleyes are javelin spookfish (Bathylychnops exilis) found in the Northern Pacific and in the eastern Atlantic Ocean near the Azores where it is found at depths of around . This species grows to a length of SL. • Jellynose fishes (Ateleopodiformes) (Ateleopodidae) :Jellynose fish are benthic marine fish typically found at depths around . This is a small order, containing only 14 species, The largest species is usually cited as the jellynose (Guentherus altivela) which grows to . A more recently described species, Ateleopus edentatus may grow to . • Grinners and lizard fish (Aulopiformes) :The largest member of this order is the longnose lancetfish (Alepisaurus ferox), found in all the world's oceans. Slender, with a huge spine, these fish can reach long and can weigh up to . • Toadfish (Batrachoidiformes) :The largest toadfish is the Pacuma toadfish (Batrachoides surinamensis), reaching a size of up to and . • Flying-fish and allies (Beloniformes) :The largest member of this order, best known for its members' ability to breach the water and glide through the sky, is the pelagic houndfish (Tylosurus crocodilus), a slender fish at up to and a weight of . The largest true "flying fish" is the Japanese flying fish (Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus japonicus), which can range up to in length and weigh over . The slimmer Holocentrus adscensionis from warm parts of the Atlantic can reach even greater lengths of up to . • Whalefish (Cetomimiformes) :Known for flesh that feels flabby to the touch, this order reaches largest sizes in the flabby whalefish (Gyrinomimus grahami) of all southern oceans. This species, which can range up to in length and weigh , is sometimes commercially fished. • Characins (Characiformes) :The largest species is the African freshwater fish, the giant tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath). The top size of this fish is and . Among the largest of the Characin family is the popular sport-fish, the golden dorado (Salminus brasiliensis), which can reach up to in length and weigh , with one reported at . The largest in the Erythrinidae family is the aimara or giant wolffish (Hoplias aimara) (unrelated to Anarhichadidae) growing to and .Among the characins are the infamous neotropical piranhas. Carnivorous species can grow up to , although the tambaqui or pacu (Colossoma macropomum), at up to and , but likely , is often considered a giant, herbivorous form of piranha. The largest species is the giant barb (Catlocarpio siamensis), which is endemic to three river basins in Southeast Asia and reaches a size of as much as and a weight of as much as . In centuries past, mahseer, specifically the golden mahseer (Tor putitora) of Southern Asia was reported to reach similar lengths, but the species has been overfished and specimens nearly as large as the giant barb have not been reported in recent centuries. • Pikes and allies (Esociformes) :The largest species in this small but interesting order (formerly allied with the salmonids) is the muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) of the rivers and lakes of North America, also commonly known as the musky or muskie. These predatory fish can grow up to and . • Killifish and allies (Cyprinodontiformes) :The largest species in this relatively small-bodied order is the Pacific four-eyed fish (Anableps dowei), reaching a size of and . • Ladyfish and allies (Elopiformes) :This small order is usually considered closely related to the true eels although its members are very different in appearance and behavior from eels. The largest species is much-coveted-sport fish, the Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus). The maximum recorded size for this species is and a length up to . The largest caught on rod and reel was . • Cod (Gadiformes) :The Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) grows to a verified size of and , with multiple caught over . One specimen caught in 1895 was reported at long and . • Sticklebacks and allies (Gasterosteiformes) :The largest form of stickleback, a small, cylindric type of fish, is the sea stickleback or fifteenspine stickleback (Spinachia spinachia). This species can range up to in length and weigh up to . • Clingfish (Gobiesociformes) :These bottom-dwelling fish reach their maximum size in Sicyases sanguineus. This species can reach in length and weigh up to . :E. electrius typically grows to about in length, and in weight. • Mooneyes (Hiodontiformes) :Only two extant species are known to exist in this relatively new order. The larger of the two is the goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) from the northern rivers of North America, which can reach up to in length and can weigh . • Ribbonfish and allies (Lampriformes) :The largest member of this small but fascinating order is the aforementioned king of herrings or giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne), the longest extant bony fish on earth, ranging from total length, likely up to , and can be as heavy as . Another interesting big fish in this order is the opah (Lampris guttatus), which as opposed to the king of herrings, is massive and has a chunky, rounded shape. It is also the only known endothermic or warm-blooded fish. Opahs can range up to in length and weigh up to . • Gars (Lepisosteiformes) , the largest freshwater fish in North America :The largest of the gar, and the largest entirely freshwater fish in North America, is the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula). The previous largest gar ever known, caught in Louisiana in 1925, was in length and weighed . • Anglerfish (Lophiiformes) :The largest of this diverse order is the common goosefish (Lophius piscatorius), also known as the common monkfish, found in the Northeastern Atlantic off Europe and North Africa. This big-mouthed fish can attain a size of and a length of . One fish caught in Norway in 2012 reportedly weighed . • Lanternfish (Myctophiformes) :The largest of the numerous but small lanternfish is Bolin's lanternfish (Gymnoscopelus bolini) of the Indo-Pacific oceans, at up to and . Another large fish is the thicklip mullet (Chelon labrosus) which reaches a max size of and a weight of . • Pearlfish and allies (Ophidiiformes) :The largest member of this order is the widely distributed giant cusk-eels is the scaleline cusk (Lamprogrammus shcherbachevi), which can reach long. However, even large fish probably aren't over since they are quite slender. • Bony-tongued fish (Osteoglossiformes) :The largest species is the South American fish usually known as the arapaima (Arapaima gigas). The maximum size this species can attain is a matter of some controversy and some rank it among the world's largest freshwater fishes. In 2015, the largest verified specimen was caught on fly tackle, weighing at a length of . The skeleton of a fish reported to have been measured by native hunters as and weighing when caught, was later examined as a skeleton scientifically and was found to have been roughly within that outsized dimension. • Perches and allies (Perciformes/Percomorpha) is one of the largest species of the perch-like fish. :The title of the largest member of this order, the most numerous order of all vertebrates, is a matter of some debate. A large marlin is the biggest of these fishes: the black marlin (Makaira indica) of the Indo-Pacific, the Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) and the Indo-Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara). All of these similarly sized species can exceptionally reach up to in length and weight may be as much as or even . Another notable giant of the perch order is the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, which has been verified at up to and , although can reportedly reach . The swordfish (Xiphias gladius) can reach a maximum weight of and length of . Due to heavy fishing of both species, swordfish and tuna of great sizes are increasingly rare. :One of the largest freshwater fishes is the Nile perch (Lates niloticus), which grows up to and , and is the largest of the suborder Centropomoidei. The Lates genus includes other large freshwater fish, such as the barramundi (Lates calcarifer) verified to (possibly to ) and the Tanganyika lates (Lates angustifrons) at . :Also in the suborder Centropomoidei, the largest barracuda is the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) reaching , and the largest snook is the black snook (Centropomus nigrescens) reaching up to . :The biggest of snappers is the cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) of the Caribbean Sea and east coast of South America, at a maximum size of and in length. :The largest species of grunt is the white margate (Haemulon album) of the Caribbean Sea and east coast of South America, at up to and in length. :The blennies can range up to in the hairtail blenny (Xiphasia setifer) of the Indo-Pacific. Related to the true Spanish mackerels in Scomberomorus, the wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) can reach and . They are closely related to tunas of the tribe Thunnini. :The largest of diverse family of trevallies, jacks, or jack mackerels (Carangidae) is the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) reaching a maximum weight of , with one fish reported as large as and . The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is often also cited as the largest in Carangidae, and can reach a weight of . :Largest of the temperate basses, or the Moronidae family, is the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) which reaches a maximum size of , with the largest verified on rod and reel being and . :The largest butterflyfish are either the lined butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus) or the saddle butterflyfish (C. ephippium), both of the Indo-Pacific and both of which can measure up to . :Within the Percidae family, namesake of the Perciformes order, the largest fish is the zander (Sander lucioperca) which can weigh up to . The popular North American walleye (Sander vitreus) can reach a maximum weight of . :The freckled darter (Percina lenticula) of the United States, the biggest of the darters (under the percidae family), reaching and . :The largest drum/croaker (Sciaenidae) is the totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) of the Gulf of California, at up to and long. Some other notable large fish from this family are the mulloway/dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus) reaching a max size of , the black drum (Pogonias cromis), reaching a size of but possibly up to , and the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) with a size of . :Among the sea bass or groupers, many of which can grow quite large, the greatest size are reached in the Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) and the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), also known as the Queensland grouper. Both can reach a maximum known length of and weight of and respectively.|215x215px :The giant seabass (Stereolepis gigas) of the Pacific ocean, the largest of the Acropomatiformes order, can attain a maximum published size of but may reach up to , with a maximum length of . :In the large Centrarchiformes order, has its largest species in the Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), which has been known to reach a size of and , although larger fish have been rumored. Also in this order, the sought after gamefish in the Centrarchidae family is the popular largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) (previously merged with the Florida bass (Micropterus salmoides)) with a maximum weight of . The largest caught without snagging on hook and line was , and reports from Cuba speculate bass as large as , where largemouth thrive without natural predators and competition. :The species-rich cichlids reach their maximum size in the speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) reaching and . Another species of cichlid, the largest in the extremely large subfamily of African cichlids (Pseudocrenilabrinae) is the East African giant cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis), at up to long and . :The humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) of the Indo-Pacific's coral reefs is by far the largest in the Labridae (Wrasse) family. It can reach a maximum size of and . Another notable fish in the family and the largest of the parrotfish is the green humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) which can attain sizes of and . :Among a fairly small-bodied family, the damselfishes, the Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) of the Pacific coast of North America is the biggest, reaching up to and . :The marbled sleeper (Oxyeleotris marmorata) of East Asia is the largest member of the Gobiiformes, and can reach long and weigh . :In the Zoarcoidei suborder, including the pricklebacks and wolf fish, the largest is the Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) at and . Other large species in this suborder include the wolf eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) at up to and , and the giant wrymouth (Cryptacanthodes giganteus) at . :The largest species of surfperch is the rubberlip surfperch (Rhacochilus toxotes) which reaches sizes of and can weigh . Another notable species is the barred surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus) which can reach a length of with a weight of . • Trout-perch and allies (Percopsiformes) :The largest species in this small order (both by number of species and body size) is the sand roller (Percopsis transmontana) of North America. This species can range up to in length and can weigh over . A photo exists of a Pacific halibut, caught near Pelican, Alaska in 1956. The Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is also sometimes titled the largest flatfish, although it has a slightly smaller maximum size, at and . On average, the Atlantic halibut is larger. • Beardfish (Polymixiiformes) :The little-known beardfish are sometimes classified with the Beryciformes. The largest beardfish is Polymixia busakhini of the Indo-Pacific, which can range up to in length. • Gulper eels (Saccopharyngiformes) :The largest gulper eel is the pelican eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides). The pelican eel grows to about in length. • Salmon and allies (Salmoniformes) is one of the largest species of salmon. :The largest species of salmonid is the Siberian taimen (Hucho taimen). The biggest recorded taimen was caught in the Kotui River in Russia, and measured and weighed . Some sources claim the largest is the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) of America's Pacific Northwest, although this species falls behind the taimen in maximum size. • Sculpins, Lionfish, Rockfish, and allies (Scorpaeniformes) :, weighing , and may have been as old as 150 years.The order Scorpaeniformes, known for their venomous spines and benthic lifestyle, has a large variety of subfamilies and over 1320 species. This order has also been classified as a suborder under perciformes. :Although less venomous than many smaller fish in the same order, the skilfish (Erilepis zonifer) of the North Pacific, is largest of the Scorpaeniformes. The maximum size is and the weight can be up to . The Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) of the west coast of North America is sometimes listed as the largest in the order, but it is not known to exceed in length or in weight, which still makes it the largest of the Hexagrammidae. The Cottoidea superfamily, also known as the sculpins (with most species in the cottidae and psychrolutidae families), has its largest species in the cabezon (Scorpaenicthys marmoratus) of coastal North America, which can range up to and . For the Scorpaenidae family, which includes rockfish, lionfish, and stonefish, is the extremely long-lived shortraker rockfish (Sebastes borealis) reaching and at least , with one specimen reported at . The largest in the Platycephaloidei suborder, also known as flatheads, is the dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) growing to and . : • Catfish (Siluriformes) , such as this specimen of over , is a rival for the title of the largest catfish. :Most authorities now give the crown of the largest catfish to the Mekong giant catfish, Pangasianodon gigas, which is also considered the heaviest completely freshwater fish. The closely-related Asian giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) can grow to and . Another large species is the wels catfish (Silurus glanis) of Europe and Central Asia, which strongly rivals the proceeding species in weight and could possibly surpass them in length. While wels have been confirmed to , other whiskered giants have been reliably reported to grow to and and less reliably to . • Ridgeheads and allies (Stephanoberyciformes) :The largest ridgeheads Poromitra curilensis, a Pacific ridgehead related to the crested bigscale, at up to 18 centimetres standard length (SL; a measurement excluding the caudal fin). Most ridgeheads are well under SL. • Bristlemouths (Stomiiformes) :The largest of the deep-sea bristlemouths is the short-tailed barbeled dragonfish (Oppostomias micripnus). The top size of a female of this species is probably over and long. Although Idiacanthus is much more slender and is lighter than Oppostomias. • Pufferfishes and allies (Tetraodontiformes) :The starry pufferfish (Arothron stellatus) is the largest pufferfish in the world, growing to a length of . The largest freshwater pufferfish is the mbu pufferfish (Tetraodon mbu) from the Congo River basin. It attains lengths of . As such, these fish are difficult to adequately house in captivity since they require a very large aquarium and appropriately scaled water filtration. At lengths up to , the stone triggerfish (Pseudobalistes naufragium) from the Eastern Pacific is the largest triggerfish (Balistidae family), edging out the titan triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) at . :This order also includes the largest bony fish, the sunfish in the Molidae family (see top of article). • Dories (Zeiformes) :The largest species of dory is the Cape dory (Zeus capensis) reaching a size of and a weight of . Lobe-finned fish (Sarcopterygii) is the largest extant lobe-finned fish. The largest living (non-tetrapod) lobe-finned fish is the coelacanth. The average weight of the living West Indian Ocean coelacanth, (Latimeria chalumnae), is , and they can reach up to in length. Specimens can weigh up to . The largest lobe-finned fish of all time was Rhizodus at up to . • Lungfish (Dipnoi) :The largest lungfish, the African lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus), is smooth, elongated, and cylindrical with deeply embedded scales. The tail is very long and tapers at the end. They can reach a length of up to and may weigh as much as . The pectoral and pelvic fins are also very long and thin, almost spaghetti-like. ==See also==