What's the most common fish in the ocean?
The most common fish in the ocean is the bristlemouth (family Gonostomatidae ), particularly species from the genus Cyclothone . These small, deep-sea fish are considered the most abundant vertebrate on Earth in terms of population size, outnumbering any other species of fish or animal. Let’s dive deeper into understanding this fascinating creature, why it dominates the ocean, and what makes it unique. 1. What is a Bristlemouth Fish? The bristlemouth is a small, deep-sea fish that thrives in the mesopelagic zone (also known as the twilight zone ) — typically at depths ranging from 200 to 1,000 meters below the ocean’s surface. 🔹 Scientific Name: Cyclothone spp. 🔹 Size: Usually about 3 to 10 cm long 🔹 Color: Often dark brown or black, helping them blend into the deep-sea environment 🔹 Habitat: Found worldwide in deep oceans, especially in tropical and temperate regions Despite their tiny size, their sheer abundance makes them the most common fish — and poss...