A Brief History
In Italy, France, Belgium, and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada, a 1st April tradition dating back to at least 1508 is often known as “April fish” (poissons d’avril in French or pesce d’aprile in Italian). This tradition includes attempting to attach a paper fish to the victim’s back without being noticed. Such fish feature prominently on many late 19th- to early 20th-century French April Fish Day postcards. So, in honor of April Fish Day, we present a list of funny fish names!
Digging Deeper
Cichlisoma preposterosa– The Ridiculous Cichlid
Pterophylum scarie– Also known as Melbie’s Angel
Charcharadon romneii– The Great White Hope Shark, also known as the Flopping Shark
Apistograma annus– The Ram it Cichlid
Zander odonellous- The Walleyed Dyke
Perca seinfeldi– Who are these fish?
Salmo vulvatus blonderosa– The Starlet Snapper
Salmo trutta pantadensis– The Trouser Trout
Conger penisaurass– The Giant Sperm Eel
Posse entourageous– The Celebrity Grouper
Albacorus coconutti– The Tuna Colada
Grinnus maximus– The Happy Face Bass
Cruzo rubioli carsoninbush– The Also Ran Bass
Padre familiaris– The Holy Mackeral
Palinius stupidosis– The Sara Barracuda
Obamanus kenyii– The Washington Pickerel
Pugilatus maximouthus– The Cassius Carp
Fillupis petroleumni– The Refueling Perch
Ictalurus blotatious– The Fat Cat Fish
Question for students (and subscribers): What is your favorite fish name? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Herrington, Lisa M. Freaky Fish (Rookie Read-About Science: Strange Animals). Children’s Press, 2016.
The featured image in this article, a postcard by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
