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On October 10, we will be upgrading our phone system. This enhancement will improve your future experience. It may result in additional wait times during our transition. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to serve you better.

On October 10, our call center will be closed for staff training between 12 PM and 1 PM ET.
On October 9, due to the enhancement to our phone system, our IVR will be unavailable for self-service from 6.30 PM through 11:59 PM ET.

The Craziest Types of Fish Teeth

January 23, 2019

When you think of a fish, you probably don’t visualize a gap-toothed grin. Odds are you picture a pursed pair of lips swimming in an aquarium. So do fish have teeth under their puckered pouts?

 

Fish Teeth Exist

All fish have teeth. Specific types of swimmers—like goldfish—hide their pearly whites near the back of their throats. Similar to shark teeth, goldfish lose and replace teeth throughout their lifetime.

Check out some of the most interesting types of fish teeth:

FISH WITH HUMAN TEETH

sheepshead fish

  • Sheepshead Fish
    Sheepshead teeth look like just like ours—at least at first glance. They have 2 rows of molars in their lower jaws and 3 rows in their upper jaws. A sheepshead also has incisors at the front of the jaw and grinding teeth in the back of their jaw to expertly pulverize prey. And sheepshead fish steal more than our smiles—they are notorious for stealing bait.
  • Pacu Fish
    A relative of the piranha, pacu teeth are much more square than their biting brothers. Their human-like chompers are due to their diet—pacu fish are omnivores and prefer to eat vegetables.

FISH WITH BIG TEETH

goliath tigerfish

  • Goliath Tigerfish
    With 32 sword-shaped teeth, each approximately an inch long, you wouldn’t want to start a fight with this fish. This 110-pound predator swims in turbulent water all throughout the Congo.
  • Dragonfish
    This small fish has big teeth. In addition to its light-producing protrusion, the dragonfish has sharp, fang-like teeth. Their large chompers allow dragonfish to grab and demolish their prey in dark and deep waters.