Top SCARIEST Fish in Lakes and Rivers

From freakish fish with fierce fangs to gigantic stingrays and horrifying
Piranhas; Here are 15 of the scariest fish that are found in lakes and rivers

Let's Connect

Vampire Fish
While they don’t come from Transylvania or turn into bats, these fish do have some scary wicked fangs. Payara (pie-YAR-uh) are predatory fish native to the Amazon Basin … and they get the vampire nickname thanks to the two long fangs that spring from their lower jaws. Those tusks can be around 6 inches long, and are used to impale their prey. When not in use, the big teeth are actually sheathed in special pockets located in their upper jaws … and that prevents the fish from impaling itself!

Sawfish
It’s easy to see how this big, flat-bodied creature critter got its nickname. They're known for their long, flat rostrum -- or nasal extension that is lined with sharp teeth and resembles a saw. The proboscis is highly sensitive, and can detect the slightest motions of prey that might be hiding nearby. Once within reach, the critter will use its rostrum to slash at its prey enough to stun it … and then devour it. They also use the unusual appendage to defend themselves from predators like sharks. In addition to freshwater environments, sawfish can also exist in saltwater and brackish water. Did you know these fish can grow to some 23 feet long?

Alligator Gar
This critter looks like the monster that time forgot. It’s actually an ancient fish that resembles a crocodile with its large fangs and huge scales. Swimming through waterways of the southeastern United States, this prehistoric predator can reach lengths of over 10 feet and weigh more than 400 pounds. These beasts have surprised unwary humans dangling their feet over a dock by trying to pull them underwater. No fatalities have been confirmed, but it is thought the Alligator Gar might be involved with a few mysterious drownings.

Giant Freshwater Stingray
This immense animal is found in the rivers and estuaries (ES-choo-air-ees) of Indochina and Borneo. And it more than lives up to its name … it lives in freshwater, it is a stingray, and it is giant. We found a picture that vividly illustrates the point. But at first glance you might think it’s anything but a stingray. It looks like it could be some sort of flying saucer that crashed into the water. Or maybe three guys created the world’s largest aquatic pancake in a river. That speculation aside, the photo depicts what might be the largest such Stingray specimen yet recorded. It was caught in the Mekong (may-kong) River. And while we don’t have the exact stats on this critter, Giant Freshwater Stingrays can grow to more than 16 feet long, and weigh a staggering 1,300 pounds! They have massive, toxic barbs exceeding 15 inches long that are coated with a toxic mucus that can punch through bone. They spend most of their time on river bottoms, and their immense size makes them difficult to catch. That’s one reason why this species wasn’t even described by researchers until 1990!

And before heading to our number one scary fish, here a quick time out for an honorable mention. It didn’t seem right to leave the Piranha off a list like this … because the word ‘Scary’ seems to pretty well sum them up. The infamous freshwater critters are indigenous to the Amazon Basin … and are well known for their powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Both jaws contain single rows of razor sharp teeth, and are used for rapid puncturing and shearing. They have one of the most forceful bites found among vertebrates, and have been known to attack humans. Did you know the stories about these fish shearing the meat off of humans or cattle within seconds … are usually a reference to the red-bellied piranha?

Bull Sharks
With weights documented up to 700 pounds and growing up to 12 feet long, the Bull Shark is scary enough to make other sharks have nightmares. These big cartilaginous fish have an amazing range. They’re known to swim up rivers and through lakes for thousands of miles, even reaching inland to Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois! The Bull Shark is the most aggressive species of shark, possesses the most powerful bite force of any cartilaginous fish species, and is responsible for many killings in freshwater environments. It that isn’t scary enough, these monsters are ‘diadromous’ (die AD-ruh-mus) … meaning, they can self-regulate to thrive in both freshwater and saltwater environments. So it seems like there’s just no getting away from these creatures.

[davidguelpa]

Awesome video, plz make a video of the rarest animals on earth

[mr.eldritch]

I know they were running out but.. I miss river monsters...like caboose misses church...

[phylis]

the sea creatures seem the scariest of all the days you have. thanks for showing your videos every day. keep up the good work.

[daniellarsson]

PAKU FISH HAS GONE CARNIVORES in some places xD

[nikkimanson]

I absolutely love your videos! I'd love to see one on the world's rarest amphibians. Cheers!

[zombiegirl]

hands up if you heard of most of these fish because you watched river monsters!

[LunaEclipsum]

just go to amazon u will find a whole collection off them

[JennyvonHenkelmannLecter]

I'm glad all my catfish are cute and sweet!

[taddmason]

I feel you left one out. the spoon bill of North America

[incrediblehull]

Hey, Epic Wildlife. I would love to see a video about the Dogman of Northern Michigan! Keep up the good work!

[Justin_in_NC]

Rarest fish of all is the Cenafish. A fish so rare; no one has ever seen it

[thieudn]

really enjoyed this video keep it up and can you try to do one about Vietnam

[sachinraghavan]

Guy 1: Hey I just came back from China, and you won't believe what happened.
Guy 2: What?
Guy 1: I saw a giant pancake
Guy 2: It's a stingray

[MatthewMinistries-cpyq]

Interesting. Didn't know some of these existed!

[michaelteale]

Thats some big old stingray?wow really awesome?

[BrianH]

Now this is an all wet count down. Nice.

[uglyratzzz]

I’m already terrified of dark waters where I can’t see the bottom and this just made me note scares

[GamerPenger]

Drinking game
Every time he says "critter" take a shot

[samdevine]

As a River Monsters enthusiast, I was trying to play a game and name as many fish as I could before you said the names of them. Got quite a few. I'd love to see a video about rare sharks/fish.

[mp]

okay the alligator gar use actually a pretty harmless fish two humans I've been in the Clearwater with a six and a half foot alligator gar I am more scared of a largemouth bass when it comes to gar they're very very picky to what they eat just wanted to correct a little bit of your video