5 Fishes That Can't Swim

Jun 14, 2024, 10:46 IST

Moohita Kaur Garg

Hagfish

Hagfish are jawless, eel-like marine animals that scavenge for food on the ocean floor. They have a unique slime-producing gland that helps them escape predators. While they can twist and turn, they do not swim in the typical sense.

Starfish

Starfish, or sea stars, are echinoderms that move using tube feet. They can slowly crawl along the ocean floor and use their arms to to prey. While they are capable of movement, they also do not swim in the traditional sense.

Sea Urchin

Sea urchins are spiny, globular animals found on the ocean floor. They move slowly using tube feet and spines but do not swim. They are important for marine ecosystems, playing a role in controlling algae growth.

Sea Anemone

While sea anemones are not technically fish, they are often mistaken for them due to their appearance. These marine animals attach themselves to rocks or coral and use their tentacles to capture prey. They do not actively swim but can drift with water currents.

Barnacles

Barnacles attach themselves to hard surfaces such as rocks, ships, or even whales. They have a hard outer shell and feed by extending their feathery legs into the water to capture plankton. They do not actively swim and are stationary as adults.

VIEW ALL