Exploring The Extinction Crisis: How Many Fish Have Gone Extinct?

The alarming decline of migratory freshwater fish populations is a significant concern, having plummeted by a staggering 76 percent since 1970. This trend extends to mega-fish, those weighing more than 30 kilograms, which have experienced a catastrophic 94 percent decline. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a total of 80 freshwater fish species have been classified as ‘extinct,’ indicating that they no longer exist in the wild. This includes a distressing tally of 16 species that were declared extinct in the year 2020 alone, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts. This data, last updated on February 23, 2021, underscores the pressing need for concerted action to protect these imperiled aquatic species.

The coelacanth, pronounced see-lee-a-canth, is a remarkable fish with a fascinating history. Initially believed to have gone extinct around 65 million years ago, this ancient species astonished the scientific community when it was rediscovered in the 1930s, alive and well. This monumental event marked one of the most significant zoological discoveries of the twentieth century. The coelacanth’s resurgence from what was thought to be extinction sheds light on the resilience of certain species and the mysteries of Earth’s deep-sea ecosystems.

Leedsichthys is an extinct genus of pachycormid fish that thrived in the oceans during the Middle to Late Jurassic period, which spanned from approximately 174 to 145 million years ago. This remarkable creature holds the distinction of being not only the largest known ray-finned fish but also one of the largest fish to have ever roamed the Earth’s waters. The initial discovery of Leedsichthys occurred in the nineteenth century, revealing an awe-inspiring glimpse into the ancient marine world.