Freshwater fish are fish that spend some or all of their live in water with a salinity level lower than .05%. Freshwater fish, due to the segmented nature of ponds, lakes, and rivers, are subject to speciation similar to species on islands. Even though only .3% of global water is freshwater, only about 15,000 different species of freshwater fish exist. Freshwater fish make popular pets, while other, larger species, such as salmon, trout, and carp are hunted for food. Freshwater fish have undergone adaptations to survive in freshwater; such as, gills that diffuse dissolved gasses and keep salts inside, scales that reduce water diffusion, and kidneys that reclaim salt from body fluids before excretion.

What is the largest freshwater fish in the world?

The largest freshwater fish in the world is the beluga sturgeon. The beluga sturgeon can reach a length of 24 feet (7 m) and a weight of 3,500 lbs (1,500 kg). This freshwater fish has been declared endangered since 2004, due to the demand for its eggs that are sold as caviar.

What do freshwater fish eat?

The diet of a freshwater fish depends on its habitat, species, as well as the ecosystem they live in. Freshwater fish can carry a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore diet depending on their species. Carnivore freshwater fish consume other live fish, insects, larvae, and crustaceans. Herbivore freshwater fish eat plants, algae, as well as other vegetable matter.

Why can’t freshwater fish live in saltwater?

Freshwater fish can’t live in saltwater because it is too salty for them. The water inside their bodies flows out and as a result they die from dehydration. Fish need to osmoregulate or maintain the right amount of water in the bodies. Freshwater fish can only survive in accordance to how much salinity their body can handle.

Freshwater Fish Guides
Browse through our curated Freshwater Fish Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Freshwater Fish. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
7”-9” | 17.8-22.9 cm
5’-6.5’ | 1.5-2 m
50-125 lb | 22.7-56.7 kg
20-50 years
Alligator Gar
22.900
200.000
56.700
50.00
72000
GUIDE
3D
Alligator Gar
8.5”-11.5” | 21.6-29.2 cm
5’-7’ | 1.52-2.13 m
60-200 lb | 27-91 kg
20-30 years
American Paddlefish
29.200
213.000
91.000
30.00
21000
GUIDE
3D
American Paddlefish
5”-6.75” | 12.7-17.1 cm
19”-24” | 48-61 cm
3-8 lb | 1.4-3.6 kg
6-10 years
American Shad
17.100
61.000
3.600
10.00
4500
GUIDE
3D
American Shad
1.2”-3.1” | 3-8 cm; 5.1” | 13 cm (Max)
6”-16” | 15-41 cm; 24” | 61 cm (Max)
.44-6 lb | .2-2.7 kg
3-6 years
Apache Trout
8.000
41.000
2.700
6.00
3460
GUIDE
3D
Apache Trout
2.5”-4” | 6.4-10.2 cm
12”-20” | 30.5-51 cm
2-4 lb | .9-1.8 kg
5-10 years
Arctic Grayling
10.200
51.000
1.800
10.00
3500
GUIDE
3D
Arctic Grayling
6.5”-9” | 16.5-22.9 cm
28”-40” | 71-102 cm
8-12 lb | 3.6-5.4 kg
5-13 years
Atlantic Salmon
22.900
102.000
5.400
13.00
13000
GUIDE
3D
Atlantic Salmon
10.2”-13.8” | 26-35 cm; 26” | 66 cm (Max)
6’-8’ | 1.83-2.44 m; 15’ | 4.57 m (Max)
198-794 lb | 90-360 kg
30-60 years
Atlantic Sturgeon
35.000
244.000
360.000
60.00
4340
GUIDE
3D
Atlantic Sturgeon
8.3”-18.9” | 21-48 cm; 41” | 104 cm (Max)
4.7’-10.75’ | 1.42-3.28 m; 24’ | 7.32 m (Max)
573-3,307 lb | 260-1,500 kg
50-118 years
Beluga Sturgeon
48.000
328.000
1500.000
118.00
29800
GUIDE
3D
Beluga Sturgeon
1.5”-3.75” | 3.8-9.5 cm
4”-11” | 10-28 cm
3-4 lb | 1.4-1.8 kg
7-15 years
Black Crappie
9.500
28.000
1.800
15.00
6800
GUIDE
3D
Black Crappie
1.8”-3” | 4.5-7.5 cm
9”-14.6” | 23-37 cm
.4-.5 lb | .18-.2 kg
9-11 years
Bloater
7.500
37.000
0.200
11.00
3800
GUIDE
3D
Bloater
2.6”-3.9” | 6.5-10 cm
11”-16” | 28-41 cm
.5-.6 lb | .2-.3 kg
6-8 years
Blueback Herring
10.000
41.000
0.300
8.00
2240
GUIDE
3D
Blueback Herring
3”-6.5” | 7.6-16.5 cm
7”-16” | 18-41 cm
1-2.6 lb | .5-1.2 kg
5-10 years
Bluegill
16.500
41.000
1.200
10.00
33000
GUIDE
3D
Bluegill
2”-5.5” | 5-14 cm
10”-26” | 25-66 cm
.6-6.6 lb | .3-3 kg
5-15 years
Brook Trout
14.000
66.000
3.000
15.00
24000
GUIDE
3D
Brook Trout
5”-7” | 12.7-17.8 cm
24”-34” | 61-86 cm
3-9 lb | 1.4-4 kg
5-12 years
Bull Trout
17.800
86.000
4.000
12.00
5600
GUIDE
3D
Bull Trout
2”-4.5” | 5-11.4 cm
12”-24” | 30.5-61 cm
2-7 lb | .9-3.2 kg
15-25 years
Channel Catfish
11.400
61.000
3.200
25.00
19000
GUIDE
3D
Channel Catfish
5.5”-8.5” | 14-21.6 cm
24”-36” | 61-91 cm
30-40 lb | 13.6-18.1 kg
5-9 years
Chinook Salmon
21.600
91.000
18.100
9.00
17000
GUIDE
3D
Chinook Salmon
6”-10” | 15.2-25.4 cm
24”-40” | 61-102 cm
8-22 lb | 3.6-10 kg
3-7 years
Chum Salmon
25.400
102.000
10.000
7.00
6200
GUIDE
3D
Chum Salmon
4.5”-7.5” | 11.4-19 cm
18”-30” | 46-76 cm
8-35 lb | 3.6-16 kg
2-4 years
Coho Salmon
19.000
76.000
16.000
4.00
20000
GUIDE
3D
Coho Salmon
3.7”-5.9” | 9.5-15 cm; 11.4” | 29 cm (Max)
2’-3’ | 61-91 cm; 6’ | 183 cm (Max)
40-79 lb | 18-36 kg
40-50 years
Colorado Pikeminnow
15.000
91.000
36.000
50.00
1200
GUIDE
3D
Colorado Pikeminnow
.2”-.3” | .5-.75 cm
.8”-1.2” | 2-3 cm
.14-.21 oz | 4-6 g
6-12 months
Devil’s Hole Pupfish
0.750
3.000
0.006
1.00
12700
GUIDE
3D
Devil’s Hole Pupfish
3.1”-4.1” | 8-10.5 cm
15”-19” | 38-48 cm
1.5-2.5 lb | .7-1.1 kg
20-40 years
Humpback Chub
10.500
48.000
1.100
40.00
1550
GUIDE
3D
Humpback Chub
1.8”-4.9” | 4.5-12.5 cm
8”-22” | 20-56 cm
5-10 lb | 2.3-4.5 kg
5-14 years
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
12.500
56.000
4.500
14.00
2260
GUIDE
3D
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
5.5”-11” | 14-28 cm
36”-72” | 91-183 cm
30-100 lb | 13.6-45.4 kg
55-150 years
Lake Sturgeon
28.000
183.000
45.400
150.00
7300
GUIDE
3D
Lake Sturgeon
4”-7” | 10.2-17.8 cm
20”-36” | 51-91 cm
4-22 lb | 1.8-10 kg
10-40 years
Lake Trout
17.800
91.000
10.000
40.00
14000
GUIDE
3D
Lake Trout
4”-8” | 10.2-20.3 cm
15”-30” | 38-76 cm
1.8-30 lb | .8-13.6 kg
15-20 years
Largemouth Bass
20.300
76.000
13.600
20.00
42000
GUIDE
3D
Largemouth Bass
3.5”-6.5” | 8.9-16.5 cm
28”-48” | 71-122 cm
10-40 lb | 4.5-18.1 kg
15-30 years
Muskellunge
16.500
122.000
18.100
30.00
10000
GUIDE
3D
Muskellunge
2.25”-3.75” | 5.7-9.5 cm
16”-26” | 41-66 cm
1.5-4 lb | .7-1.8 kg
10-25 years
Northern Pike
9.500
66.000
1.800
25.00
30000
GUIDE
3D
Northern Pike
3.5”-7.1” | 9-18 cm
30”-60” | 76-152 cm
80-100 lb | 36-45 kg
40-70 years
Pallid Sturgeon
18.000
152.000
45.000
70.00
1620
GUIDE
3D
Pallid Sturgeon
4.5”-7” | 11.4-17.8 cm
20”-30” | 51-76 cm
2-8 lb | .9-3.6 kg
4-11 years
Rainbow Trout
17.800
76.000
3.600
11.00
19000
GUIDE
3D
Rainbow Trout
3.5”-7.1” | 9-18 cm
1.6’-3’ | 48-91 cm
6.6-13.2 lb | 3-6 kg
35-50 years
Razorback Sucker
18.000
91.000
6.000
50.00
840
GUIDE
3D
Razorback Sucker
2.5”-6.5” | 6.4-16.5 cm
10”-27” | 25-69 cm
.8-12 lb | .4-5.4 kg
5-15 years
Smallmouth Bass
16.500
69.000
5.400
15.00
26000
GUIDE
3D
Smallmouth Bass
5.5”-15.5” | 14-39.4 cm
20”-55” | 51-140 cm
5-70 lb | 2.3-32 kg
20-30 years
Striped Bass
39.400
140.000
32.000
30.00
32000
GUIDE
3D
Striped Bass
Walleye
58000
4.5”-8.5” | 11.4-21.6 cm
22”-42” | 56-107 cm
3-7 lb | 1.4-3.2 kg
15-25 years
Walleye
21.600
107.000
3.200
25.00
58000
GUIDE
3D
Walleye
1.6”-2.4” | 4-6 cm; 3.5” | 9 cm (Max)
8”-12” | 20-30 cm; 18” | 46 cm (Max)
2-3.3 lb | .9-1.5 kg
6-8 years
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
6.000
30.000
1.500
8.00
1505
GUIDE
3D
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
2.5”-5.5” | 6.4-14 cm
10”-18” | 25-46 cm
2-5 lb | .9-2.3 kg
4-9 years
White Bass
14.000
46.000
2.300
9.00
15000
GUIDE
3D
White Bass
1”-2.5” | 2.5-6.4 cm
4”-10” | 10-25 cm
.5-1 lb | .2-.5 kg
7-13 years
Yellow Perch
6.400
25.000
0.500
13.00
12000
GUIDE
3D
Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch

The Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) is native to most freshwater bodies of North America. They are members of the family Percidae, preferring lakes and larger rivers with clear water. It is also called American perch, striped perch, perch, and preachers. Adults are golden yellow with bodies laterally compressed. They sport two dorsal fins and eyes either ranging from green to yellow. Females grow faster, live longer, and are often larger than males. Spawning is communal, and the fish is highly prized by both anglers and commercial fishermen. The Yellow Perch prefers forming schools as protection to young fish, though males and females have separate schools.

Yellow Perch have a total length between 4”-10” (10-25 cm), body height of 1”-2.5” (2.5-6.4 cm), and an overall weight in the range of .5-1 lb (.2-.5 kg). The typical lifespan of the Yellow Perch is 7-13 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Yellow Perch in front and side poses
The Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) is native to most freshwater bodies of North America. They are members of the family Percidae, preferring lakes and larger rivers with clear water. It is also called American perch, striped perch, perch, and preachers. Adults are golden yellow.

Yellow Perch have a total length between 4”-10” (10-25 cm), body height of 1”-2.5” (2.5-6.4 cm), and an overall weight in the range of .5-1 lb (.2-.5 kg). The typical lifespan of the Yellow Perch is 7-13 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Yellow Perch in front and side poses
Yellow Perch
Height:
1”-2.5” | 2.5-6.4 cm
Width:
Length:
4”-10” | 10-25 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.5-1 lb | .2-.5 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Perca flavescens
Lifespan
7-13 years

Drawings include:

Yellow Perch side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Chinook Salmon

The Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) exhibit high sexual dimorphism with males having hooked upper jaws and canine-like teeth while females show torpedo-shaped bodies and blunt noses.They are also called spring salmon, chrome hog, king salmon, Quinnat salmon, and Tyee salmon, and are the largest species in the family Salmonidae and slso featured in the culture of some communities of the first nation’s peoples.

Chinook Salmon are anadromous: migrating between oceans and rivers to spawn. They are found in western to the northern coast of America and Alaska and nutritious in omega-3 fatty acids. Males that are about to spawn show distinct color patterns when in freshwater and ocean water.

Chinook Salmon have a total length between 24”-36” (61-91 cm), body height of 5.5”-8.5” (14-21.6 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 30-40 lb (13.6-18.1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Chinook Salmon is 5-9 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Chinook Salmon seen from the side and front
The Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) exhibit high sexual dimorphism with males having hooked upper jaws and canine-like teeth while females show torpedo-shaped bodies and blunt noses.They are also called spring salmon, chrome hog, king salmon, Quinnat salmon, and Tyee salmon.

Chinook Salmon have a total length between 24”-36” (61-91 cm), body height of 5.5”-8.5” (14-21.6 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 30-40 lb (13.6-18.1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Chinook Salmon is 5-9 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Chinook Salmon seen from the side and front
Chinook Salmon
Height:
5.5”-8.5” | 14-21.6 cm
Width:
Length:
24”-36” | 61-91 cm
Depth:
Weight:
30-40 lb | 13.6-18.1 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Lifespan
5-9 years

Drawings include:

Chinook Salmon side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Largemouth Bass

Depending on the region, the Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) may be called Widemouth bass, Florida bass, Green trout, and Oswego bass. They are members of the family Centrarchidae native to freshwater lakes, rivers, and brackish water bodies of eastern and central North America.

Being the largest of the black basses, it is distinguished by its greenish or olive-green body with flanks having a jagged horizontal stripe of black blotches, and lower jaws extending beyond the back edges of its eyes. Females are larger than males, with the latter building the nest during spawning. Anglers love the Largemouth Bass because of their vigorous resistance.

Largemouth Basss have a total length between 15”-30” (38-76 cm), body height of 4”-8” (10.2-20.3 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 1.8-30 lb (.8-13.6 kg). The typical lifespan of the Largemouth Bass is 15-20 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Largemouth Bass viewed from the front and side with length dimension
Depending on the region, the Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) may be called Widemouth bass, Florida bass, Green trout, and Oswego bass. They are members of the family Centrarchidae native to freshwater lakes, rivers, and brackish water bodies of eastern and central North America.

Largemouth Basss have a total length between 15”-30” (38-76 cm), body height of 4”-8” (10.2-20.3 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 1.8-30 lb (.8-13.6 kg). The typical lifespan of the Largemouth Bass is 15-20 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Largemouth Bass viewed from the front and side with length dimension
Largemouth Bass
Height:
4”-8” | 10.2-20.3 cm
Width:
Length:
15”-30” | 38-76 cm
Depth:
Weight:
1.8-30 lb | .8-13.6 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Micropterus salmoides
Lifespan
15-20 years

Drawings include:

Largemouth Bass side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
Scale illustration of an average Pallid Sturgeon compared to a human and other freshwater fish species

The Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) gets its name from the pale coloration. It is found in the lower Mississippi river basin and the water bodies of Missouri. It has a slow growth rate but is long-lived. The Pallid sturgeon has maintained most of its primitive features and is separated from the shovelnose sturgeon by its enormous size. It is rarely seen, and very little is known about it since it is a bottom-dweller. Apart from the pale coloration on the body, the backs and sides are greyish-white, while the tail is heterocercal. The body lacks scales nor bones but is made of a cartilaginous skeleton. The head and snout are longer, making it have an extended mouth. However, it lacks teeth.

Pallid Sturgeon have a total length between 30”-60” (76-152 cm) and body height of 3.5”-7.1” (9-18 cm). The typical weight of the Pallid Sturgeon is in the range of 80-100 lb (36-45 kg). Pallid Sturgeon have lifespans between 40-70 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Pallid Sturgeon
The Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) gets its name from the pale coloration. It is found in the lower Mississippi river basin and the water bodies of Missouri. It has a slow growth rate but is long-lived. The Pallid sturgeon has maintained most of its primitive features.

Pallid Sturgeon have a total length between 30”-60” (76-152 cm) and body height of 3.5”-7.1” (9-18 cm). The typical weight of the Pallid Sturgeon is in the range of 80-100 lb (36-45 kg). Pallid Sturgeon have lifespans between 40-70 years.

Series of elevation illustrations of the Pallid Sturgeon
Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
Height:
3.5”-7.1” | 9-18 cm
Width:
Length:
30”-60” | 76-152 cm
Depth:
Weight:
80-100 lb | 36-45 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Scaphirhynchus albus
Lifespan
40-70 years

Drawings include:

Pallid Sturgeon side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Smallmouth Bass

The Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) are popular game fish of the family Centrarchidae that love the freshwater bodies of the warm zones of North America. It is also called bronzeback, brownbass, bareback bass, bronze bass, and smallie. Females are larger than males with the fish’s color, shape, and weight being influenced by their habitats.

They love clean water free of pollution, with males creating the nest during breeding and guarding the eggs. The Smallmouth Bass is separated from the largemouth bass by its lower jaw, which does not extend past the edge of its eyes and lines that fade with age.

Smallmouth Basss have a total length between 10”-27” (25-69 cm), body height of 2.5”-6.5” (6.4-16.5 cm), and an overall weight in the range of .8-12 lb (.4-5.4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Smallmouth Bass is 5-15 years.

Pair of dimensioned elevation illustrations of the Smallmouth Bass seen from the side and front
The Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) are popular game fish of the family Centrarchidae that love the freshwater bodies of the warm zones of North America. It is also called bronzeback, brownbass, bareback bass, bronze bass, and smallie. They love clean water free of pollution.

Smallmouth Basss have a total length between 10”-27” (25-69 cm), body height of 2.5”-6.5” (6.4-16.5 cm), and an overall weight in the range of .8-12 lb (.4-5.4 kg). The typical lifespan of the Smallmouth Bass is 5-15 years.

Pair of dimensioned elevation illustrations of the Smallmouth Bass seen from the side and front
Smallmouth Bass
Height:
2.5”-6.5” | 6.4-16.5 cm
Width:
Length:
10”-27” | 25-69 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.8-12 lb | .4-5.4 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Micropterus dolomieu
Lifespan
5-15 years

Drawings include:

Smallmouth Bass side elevation, front

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Related Animals Collections
Animals