International Waters
Checklist of Endemic Marine Fish Species
This list of marine fish species found exclusively in International Waters is based on the taxonomy used in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes (2023). The distribution of international waters is based on the maritime boundaries mapped at (marineregions.org). For further details on possible inaccuracies in the list see Sources & Caveats.
Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W. N. & Van der Laan, R. (eds) 2023 Catalog of Fishes: Genera, Species, References. Version downloaded 9 February 2023 https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp
The current version can be accessed here
Marine fishes known only from the deep-sea (below 200 m) are listed at the bottom of the page and are not included in species totals
Antigonia quiproqua
(Acanthuriformes Antigoniidae)
Roa semilunaris
(Acanthuriformes Chaetodontidae) Half-moon Barred
Butterflyfish
Emmelichthys elongatus
(Acanthuriformes Emmelichthyidae)
Plagiogeneion fiolenti
(Acanthuriformes Emmelichthyidae) Silver Rover
Plagiogeneion geminatum
(Acanthuriformes Emmelichthyidae)
Paracaesio waltervadi
(Acanthuriformes Lutjanidae)
Epigonus angustifrons
(Acropomatiformes Epigonidae)
Bathysphyraenops radhae
(Acropomatiformes Howellidae)
Gymnothorax parini
(Anguilliformes Muraenidae) Lichen Moray
Saurenchelys halimyon
(Anguilliformes Nettastomatidae)
Hime microps (Aulopiformes Aulopidae)
Paraulopus atripes
(Aulopiformes Paraulopidae)
Pseudotrichonotus
xanthotaenia (Aulopiformes Pseudotrichonotidae)
Saurida tweddlei
(Aulopiformes Synodontidae) Spotted Lizardfish
Engyprosopon hensleyi
(Carangiformes Bothidae) Hensley's Flounder
Monolene helenensis
(Carangiformes Bothidae)
Parabothus amaokai
(Carangiformes Bothidae)
Parabothus rotundifrons
(Carangiformes Bothidae)
Psettina multisquamea
(Carangiformes Bothidae) Malha Manyscaled
Flounder
Tosarhombus nielseni
(Carangiformes Bothidae) Nielsen's Darkblue
Flounder
Poecilopsetta normani
(Carangiformes Poecilopsettidae)
Samariscus leopardus
(Carangiformes Samaridae) Leopard Dwarf Flounder
Brachirus sayaensis
(Carangiformes Soleidae)
Nemadactylus vemae
(Centrarchiformes Latridae)
Jaydia quarta (Kurtiformes Apogonidae)
Linophryne andersoni
(Lophiiformes Linophrynidae)
Diaphus basileusi
(Myctophiformes Myctophidae)
Anatolanthias apiomycter
(Perciformes Anthiadidae)
Anthias helenensis
(Perciformes Anthiadidae) Central Atlantic Anthias
Odontanthias
dorsomaculatus (Perciformes Anthiadidae) Blacktips
Swallowtail
Plectranthias nazcae
(Perciformes Anthiadidae) Red Splodge
Parapercis banoni
(Perciformes Pinguipedidae)
Ebosia saya (Perciformes Scorpaenidae)
Saya Lionfish
Scorpaenodes immaculatus
(Perciformes Scorpaenidae) Immaculate
Scorpionfish
Ocosia possi (Perciformes Synanceiidae)
Poss' Waspfish
Lepidotrigla alcocki
(Perciformes Triglidae) Alcock's Gurnard
Lepidotrigla sayademalha
(Perciformes Triglidae) Saya de Malha Gurnard
Polymixia yuri
(Polymixiiformes Polymixiidae)
Caristius walvisensis
(Scombriformes Caristiidae)
Eustomias diplomastiga
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias kikimora
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Triacanthodes indicus
(Tetraodontiformes Triacanthodidae)
Etmopterus parini
(Squaliformes Etmopteridae) Parini's
Lanternshark
Antigonia xenolepis
(Acanthuriformes Antigoniidae)
Epigonus waltersensis
(Acropomatiformes Epigonidae) Walters Shoals
Deepwater Cardinalfish
Enigmapercis acutirostris
(Acropomatiformes Hemerocoetidae)
Symphysanodon parini
(Acropomatiformes Symphysanodontidae)
Gnathophis codoniphorus
(Anguilliformes Congridae)
Myroconger gracilis
(Anguilliformes Myrocongridae)
Facciolella castlei
(Anguilliformes Nettastomatidae)
Nettastoma falcinaris
(Anguilliformes Nettastomatidae)
Saurenchelys meteori
(Anguilliformes Nettastomatidae)
Scolecenchelys profundorum
(Anguilliformes Ophichthidae)
Bathylagus atlanticus
(Argentiniformes Bathylagidae)
Rhynchohyalus parbevs
(Argentiniformes Opisthoproctidae)
Chlorophthalmus
ichthyandri (Aulopiformes Chlorophthalmidae)
Chlorophthalmus imperator
(Aulopiformes Chlorophthalmidae) Emperor
Greeneye
Chlorophthalmus
mascarensis (Aulopiformes Chlorophthalmidae)
Chlorophthalmus zvezdae
(Aulopiformes Chlorophthalmidae)
Bathymicrops belyaninae
(Aulopiformes Ipnopidae)
Rosenblattichthys nemotoi
(Aulopiformes Scopelarchidae)
Melamphaes kobylyanskyi
(Beryciformes Melamphaidae)
Poromitra decipiens
(Beryciformes Melamphaidae)
Chascanopsetta elski
(Carangiformes Bothidae)
Symphurus sayademalhensis
(Carangiformes Cynoglossidae)
Microstomus shuntovi
(Carangiformes Pleuronectidae) Shuntov's Smear
Dab
Gaidropsarus pakhorukovi
(Gadiformes Gaidropsaridae)
Gaidropsarus parini
(Gadiformes Gaidropsaridae)
Coelorinchus anisacanthus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus
multifasciatus (Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus nazcaensis
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coryphaenoides castaneus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Hymenocephalus
neglectissimus (Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Hymenocephalus
semipellucidus (Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Kumba calvifrons
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Kumba maculisquama
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Lucigadus borealis
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Nezumia kensmithi
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Nezumia tinro (Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Ventrifossa obtusirostris
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Ventrifossa teres
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Gadella svetovidovi
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Guttigadus nudirostris
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Laemonema yuvto
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Notophycis fitchi
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Physiculus hexacytus
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Physiculus longicavis
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Physiculus nielseni
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Physiculus parini
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Physiculus sazonovi
(Gadiformes Moridae)
Muraenolepis pacifica
(Gadiformes Muraenolepididae)
Gigantactis longicauda
(Lophiiformes Gigantactinidae)
Rhynchactis microthrix
(Lophiiformes Gigantactinidae)
Linophryne argyresca
(Lophiiformes Linophrynidae)
Solocisquama carinata
(Lophiiformes Ogcocephalidae)
Oneirodes epithales
(Lophiiformes Oneirodidae)
Oneirodes parapietschi
(Lophiiformes Oneirodidae)
Oneirodes sanjeevani
(Lophiiformes Oneirodidae)
Oneirodes sipharum
(Lophiiformes Oneirodidae)
Spiniphryne duhameli
(Lophiiformes Oneirodidae)
Lasiognathus amphirhamphus
(Lophiiformes Thaumatichthyidae)
Lasiognathus waltoni
(Lophiiformes Thaumatichthyidae)
Diaphus kora (Myctophiformes Myctophidae)
Spark Lanternfish
Diaphus parini
(Myctophiformes Myctophidae)
Barathronus bruuni
(Ophidiiformes Bythitidae)
Nybelinella brevianalis
(Ophidiiformes Bythitidae)
Nybelinella brevidorsalis
(Ophidiiformes Bythitidae)
Echiodon neotes
(Ophidiiformes Carapidae)
Abyssobrotula
hadropercularis (Ophidiiformes
Ophidiidae)
Neobythites malhaensis
(Ophidiiformes Ophidiidae)
Ventichthys biospeedoi
(Ophidiiformes Ophidiidae) East Pacific
Ventbrotula
Anthias cyprinoides
(Perciformes Anthiadidae)
Plectranthias parini
(Perciformes Anthiadidae)
Chrionema pallidum
(Perciformes Bembropidae)
Epinephelus suborbitalis
(Perciformes Epinephelidae) Seamount Grouper
Choerodon cypselurus
(Perciformes Labridae) Swallowtail Tuskfish
Careproctus atakamensis
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Careproctus cactiformis
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Careproctus fedorovi
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Careproctus hyaleius
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Careproctus lacmi
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Careproctus macranchus
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Careproctus parviporatus
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Careproctus profundicola
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Careproctus seraphimae
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Paraliparis hubbsi
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Psednos andriashevi
(Perciformes Liparidae) Andriashev's Dwarf
Snailfish
Psednos carolinae
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Psednos christinae
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Psednos islandicus
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Psednos microps
(Perciformes Liparidae) Smalleye Dwarf
Snailfish
Psednos sargassicus
(Perciformes Liparidae) Sargasso Dwarf
Snailfish
Psednos spirohira
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Psednos steini
(Perciformes Liparidae) Stein's Dwarf
Snailfish
Volodichthys smirnovi
(Perciformes Liparidae)
Nototheniops tchizh
(Perciformes Nototheniidae)
Plectrogenium barsukovi
(Perciformes Plectrogeniidae)
Bathylutichthys balushkini
(Perciformes Psychrolutidae)
Cottunculus tubulosus
(Perciformes Psychrolutidae)
Ebinania malacocephala
(Perciformes Psychrolutidae)
Marukawichthys pacificus
(Perciformes Rhamphocottidae)
Helicolenus fedorovi
(Perciformes Scorpaenidae)
Phenacoscorpius eschmeyeri
(Perciformes Scorpaenidae) Eschmeyer's Noline
Scorpionfish
Trachyscorpia
longipedicula (Perciformes Scorpaenidae) Stylish Scorpionfish
Japonolycodes magellanicus
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Lycenchelys polyodon
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Lycodapus imperatorius
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Melanostigma meteori
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Melanostigma thalassium
(Perciformes Zoarcidae) Talassian Pelagic
Eelpout
Pachycara arabica
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Pachycara microcephalum
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Pachycara nazca
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Pachycara saldanhai
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Pachycara thermophilum
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Thermarces andersoni
(Perciformes Zoarcidae)
Polymixia salagomeziensis
(Polymixiiformes Polymixiidae)
Monognathus herringi
(Saccopharyngiformes Monognathidae)
Monognathus isaacsi
(Saccopharyngiformes Monognathidae)
Monognathus jesse
(Saccopharyngiformes Monognathidae)
Monognathus nigeli
(Saccopharyngiformes Monognathidae)
Saccopharynx berteli
(Saccopharyngiformes Saccopharyngidae)
Saccopharynx hjorti
(Saccopharyngiformes Saccopharyngidae)
Saccopharynx
paucovertebratis (Saccopharyngiformes
Saccopharyngidae)
Saccopharynx trilobatus
(Saccopharyngiformes Saccopharyngidae)
Pseudoscopelus aphos
(Scombriformes Chiasmodontidae)
Polymetme andriashevi
(Stomiiformes Phosichthyidae)
Argyripnus boreopacificus
(Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae)
Argyripnus electronus
(Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae)
Maurolicus kornilovorum
(Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae)
Polyipnus inermis
(Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae)
Eustomias crucis
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias dispar
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias drechseli
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias mavka
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias mesostenus
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias metamelas
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias mikhailini
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias securicula
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias uniramis
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Eustomias woollardi
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Leptostomias macropogon
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Photonectes gorodinskii
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Photonectes munificus
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Protogrammus sousai
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Meteor Dragonet
Synchiropus kanmuensis
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Kanmu Dragonet
Centrodraco gegonipa
(Syngnathiformes Draconettidae) Sala y Gómez Slope
Dragonet
Centrodraco nakaboi
(Syngnathiformes Draconettidae)
Hoplostethus fedorovi
(Trachyichthyiformes Trachichthyidae)
Apristurus manocheriani
(Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae) Manocherian's Catshark
Bythaelurus bachi
(Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae) Bach's Catshark
Bythaelurus naylori
(Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae) Duskysnout Catshark
Sinobatis brevicauda
(Rajiformes Anacanthobatidae) Shorttail
Legskate
Sinobatis kotlyari
(Rajiformes Anacanthobatidae) Kotlyar's
Legskate
Brochiraja aenigma
(Rajiformes Arhynchobatidae) Enigma Skate
Notoraja lira (Rajiformes Arhynchobatidae)
Notoraja yurii
(Rajiformes Arhynchobatidae)
Mollisquama parini
(Squaliformes Dalatiidae) Pocket Shark
Etmopterus lailae
(Squaliformes Etmopteridae) Laila's
Lanternshark
Etmopterus pycnolepis
(Squaliformes Etmopteridae) Densescale Lanternshark
Scymnodalatias oligodon
(Squaliformes Somniosidae) Sparsetooth Dogfish
Squalus boretzi
(Squaliformes Squalidae) Boretz's Dogfish
Chimaera buccanigella
(Chimaeriformes Chimaeridae) Darkmouth Chimaera
Chimaera didierae
(Chimaeriformes Chimaeridae) Falkor Chimaera
Chimaera willwatchi
(Chimaeriformes Chimaeridae) Seafarer's
Ghostshark
Eptatretus strickrotti
(Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Strickrott's Hagfish