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11 largest freshwater fish in the world

The ocean isn't the only place where behemoth fish can be found. Hidden beneath the murky watersof our freshwater rivers and lakes, there are monsters swimming unseen.

While most freshwater fish are smaller than counterparts in the salty ocean, there are some that cangrow to mammoth sizes. You may think twice about that dream of one day catching 'the big one'after you take a look at these freshwater giants.

Here are the 11 largest freshwater fish in the world.

 [01] BelugaNot to be confused with the beluga whale, which shares no relation whatsoever to this fish, the

beluga is a species of sturgeon which inhabits the rivers and seas of central Eurasia.

Because they continue to grow throughout their lifetime (which can last for 118 years), the beluga

might be the world's largest freshwater fish. Some of these monsters have been found which are

nearly 30 feet long and which weigh over 6,000 pounds - numbers which also put them in contention

for being the largest bony fish in the world by mass.

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 [02] CatfishWherever catfish lurk, there are monsters among them. Species of these fish can grow to

mammoth sizes anywhere, but none compare to the Mekong giant catfish of Southeast Asia.

Capable of growing to over 10 feet long, this is one fish you probably wouldn't want to feel

slither past your leg while taking an afternoon dip. Unfortunately, their large size also makes

them a prize catch, and these giant catfish have nearly been fished to extinction.

Though they are now protected from fisherman, they are likely to remain critically

endangered due to the construction of upstream dams on the Mekong.

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 [03] Alligator Gar Due to a dual row of large teeth and a snout like an alligator, these carnivorous fish might

be the scariest thing lurking in the rivers of North America. Measuring as long as 10 feet,

alligator gars are fish right out of a horror movie. They can even survive out of water for as

long as two hours. 

Found in the lower Mississippi River basin and in the waters of all the Gulf Coast states,

these fish tend to swim near the surface or among reeds where they can ambush prey.

Despite their intimidating appearance, they are passive toward humans.

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 [05] ArapaimaFound in the Amazon river, these giant fish are as ancient as they are large. Capable of 

growing to a length in excess of 10 feet, Arapaima have been around since the Miocene,

and are considered living fossils.

These fish are also incredible leapers, and can propel themselves above the water if they

feel threatened. Unfortunately, record-sized arapaima are difficult to come by today since

they are so widely hunted.

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 [05] Giant freshwater stingray These frightening freshwater fish can grow to massive sizes, with some weighing in excess

of 1,000 pounds and measuring nearly 15 feet across.

Found in the rivers of Southeast Asia, they have a serrated spike on their tails which can

measure 15 inches long and is capable of piercing bone -- not the sort of thing you want to

swim with.

Unfortunately, though, like many of the unique river species endemic to Southeast Asia, thegiant freshwater stingray is critically endangered due to fishing and the construction of 

dams.

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 [06] PaddlefishRecognizable due to their paddle-shaped snout, these shark-like river giants aren't actually

related to sharks at all. In fact, paddlefish are actually harmless filter-feeders, opening their

mouths to capture zooplankton.

There are two extant species of these creatures, the Chinese paddlefish and the American

paddlefish, though unfortunately the Chinese paddlefish (which inhabits the Yangtze River)

has not been seen for nearly a decade and is feared extinct. It was the larger of the two

species, measuring as long as 9-10 feet in length. American paddlefish inhabit the

Mississippi River valley (and once inhabited the Great Lakes too), and can grow to around 5

feet in length.

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 [07] CarpCarp of all varieties can grow to formidable sizes (check out this giant goldfish recently

hooked in France), but none are as large as the Giant Barb found in Southeast Asia.

These behemoths regularly grow to as long as 10 feet long and adults are rarely found

under 5 feet. Despite their namesake, giant barbs actually carry no barbels. And although

they grow to such large sizes, giant barbs are as harmless as your pet goldfish. They prefer

to eat small organisms like algae, phytoplankton and, occasionally, fruit.

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 [08] White SturgeonEasily the largest freshwater fish in North America, the white sturgeon can grow to an

incredible length of 20 feet. 

Found along the west coast of North America, and as far north as the Aleutian Islands,

sturgeon are ancient fish which have kept the same form for at least 175 million years.

Due to their size, sturgeon are a popular target for fishermen and there is concern among

conservationists that they may be overfished. In fact, some populations are even classified

under the Endangered Species Act of 1994.

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 [09] Nile PerchNative to the tropical rivers and lakes of Africa, the Nile Perch is Africa's largest freshwater

fish. Reaching six feet in length, these fish have mammoth mouths.

Due to their popularity among fishermen, the Nile Perch has unfortunately been introduced

to many non-native lakes and has become a dangerous invasive species. This has been

especially tragic in Lake Victoria, where several hundred native species have been driven to

extinction due to the introduction.

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 [10] TaimenThe taimen, found in freshwater rivers and lakes of Russia, Mongolia and Central Asia, is the

largest species in the salmon family.

Because they can grow to over six feet in length and have been known to gulp up creatures

like rodents and birds, they have been called  the "Mongolian Terror Trout" by National

Geographic. According to Chinese folklore, monster fish weighing upwards of 3,000 pounds

have been found, though taimen that large have never been confirmed.

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 [11] River sharksIf you think that just because you're swimming in freshwater that you're safe from sharks,

you might want to think again.

Not only do ferocious bull sharks roam as freely through freshwater as they do in saltwater,

but bull sharks have been found as far inland as Indiana in the Ohio River and Illinois in the

Mississippi River. Along with the great white shark and the tiger shark, bull sharks are

among the top three species most likely to attack humans. Yikes!

There are also at least five other species of  true river sharks, which are exclusive to

freshwater rivers in Southeast Asia and Australia. All river sharks are capable of growing to

over 10 feet in length, and are more than capable of consuming a human.