5 Fascinating Facts About Fish Teeth You Didn't Know
Do Fish Have Teeth? You Bet — And Some Are Pretty Wild
It might surprise you, but yes — all fish have teeth! Whether they’re tiny algae nibblers or ferocious hunters, every fish species has evolved some type of teeth to match its diet. Some are so well hidden you’d never notice them (hello, goldfish), while others look like they came straight out of a horror movie (looking at you, Goliath tigerfish).
I first got curious about fish teeth after my husband got nipped during a scuba diving lesson. That little bite sent me down a rabbit hole — and what I found was fascinating.
Why Fish Have Teeth (Even If They Don’t Chew)
Unlike us, fish don't chew their food. Most swallow it whole or break it into big chunks. But teeth still matter — they help fish catch, grip, tear, or crush their food, depending on what they eat.
- Predators like piranhas and sharks have razor-sharp teeth for ripping flesh.
- Herbivores such as parrotfish have flatter teeth for grinding algae.
- Mollusk-eaters like sheepshead use specialized molars to crush shells.
Some fish, like the redear sunfish, even have teeth in their throats (called pharyngeal teeth) to break down hard food before swallowing.
Fish With Teeth That Look Like Ours (Creepy, Right?)
A few fish have teeth that weirdly resemble human chompers. Two that really stand out:
- Sheepshead fish — These guys have a full set of incisors and molars. It’s like looking into a fishy mirror. They use those strong grinders at the back of their throat to crush crustaceans.
- Pacu fish — Related to piranhas, but calmer and mostly vegetarian. Their square, flat teeth evolved to munch on plants — and they look a lot like ours.
Hidden Teeth in Common Fish
Even your peaceful goldfish has teeth — they’re just tucked away at the back of the throat. They fall out and regrow throughout the fish’s life, kind of like sharks.
And yes, guppies, bettas, and tetras all have teeth too. They're just teeny tiny, so you won't notice them unless you're looking with a microscope.
Fish With Seriously Scary Bites
Some fish are downright terrifying when it comes to teeth:
- Goliath Tigerfish — This Congo River predator has 32 sharp, inch-long teeth that can pierce through just about anything. It’s one of the few freshwater fish known to attack humans.
- Dragonfish — A deep-sea nightmare with long, fang-like teeth used to snatch prey in the dark.
- Barracuda and needlefish — Their needle-thin teeth make quick work of slicing prey mid-swim.
Fish Teeth Anatomy (It’s More Complex Than You’d Think)
Depending on the species, fish might have teeth:
- On their jaws (like most predators)
- At the back of the throat (pharyngeal teeth)
- On their tongues or even in their lips
Bony fish (like bass or goldfish) have two sets of jaws: one for catching and one for processing food. Cartilaginous fish (like sharks and rays) only have oral jaws, but their teeth constantly shed and regrow.
Interestingly, fish teeth have enamel and nerve-rich pulp — just like human teeth!
A Few of the Deadliest Fish (Teeth or Not)
Not all dangerous fish rely on teeth. Here are five that can be deadly for different reasons:
- Box jellyfish — No teeth, but its venom can kill a person in minutes.
- Pufferfish — Contains tetrodotoxin, a poison far more deadly than cyanide.
- Stonefish — Venomous spines on its back can cause deadly reactions.
- Piranhas — Small but fierce, they hunt in packs and have a bite that can shred flesh quickly.
- Electric eel — Delivers shocks up to 600 volts — enough to stun prey or zap an unsuspecting swimmer.
Common Questions We Hear
Are fish bites dangerous?
Small aquarium fish might nip, but it’s usually harmless. Larger fish like barracudas or sharks? Definitely dangerous — and in rare cases, deadly.
Can you touch a fish safely?
If you must, support it under the gill plate and near the tail. Never squeeze the belly or pull it out by the gills — it can injure the fish.
Can a catfish kill you?
Unlikely, but there was one rare case where a catfish spine punctured someone’s heart. Usually, catfish stings just hurt a lot, especially if you get jabbed by the dorsal spines.
Honestly, I never expected fish teeth to be this diverse (or terrifying). From hidden molars in goldfish to inch-long daggers in river monsters, there’s a whole world of fish dentistry out there — and it’s way more fascinating than I ever imagined.