Some species in the ocean live their lives at a breakneck pace – at least, when they need to. Whether it’s to catch their dinner or avoid becoming dinner, many animals can swim incredibly quickly. But which are the fastest?
Of course, it’s almost impossible to know exactly how fast a fish can swim, as we can only rely on human measurements and it’s hard to record these speeds accurately. Not to mention because we don’t know what’s happening in our seas when we aren’t around.
But, based on current knowledge, here’s 10 of the top fastest swimmers in the ocean: from speedy sailfish to swift swordfish and even flying fish which can soar through the air thanks to their amazing acceleration underwater.
Fastest swimmers in the ocean
Sailfish
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In the race for the fastest fish, two species are almost neck and neck at the finish line, and different sources argue about which is the true winner. One of the contestants is the sailfish. Scientists in 2015 were amazed when a tagged sailfish accelerated at 1.79 g (78 mph). Although both sailfish and tuna only put on this burst of speed momentarily, it shows their remarkable capacity to zoom through the ocean. In comparison, the fastest land animal – the cheetah – can sprint at 64.3 miles per hour (up to 500 metres).
Another type of billfish that can bolt through the blue exceptionally quickly is the black marlin. Previous suggestions of an 80mph top speed are believed to be exaggerations. The Billfish Foundation suggests it’s more like 30mph at its fastest.
Tuna
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Its rival for the crown of quickest is the bluefin tuna. When researchers tagged tuna in 2015, one animal in in Nova Scotia, Canada, accelerated at a G-force of 3.27. If it kept that up for a couple of seconds, its swimming speed would be 144 miles per hour.
Aside from this amazing acceleration – faster than a Porsche can speed away – the bluefin tuna’s top speed is typically estimated at around 43mph. Still super speedy!
Swordfish
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
To become one of the fastest animals in the ocean, you have to be built for speed. Long, streamlined bodies and powerful muscles are important to propel you through the water. But swordfish have a secret weapon. A special oil gland keeps their head lubricated and reduces drag, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 62 mph.
Wahoo
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Another astoundingly fast fish is the wahoo. Sometimes also known as kingfish, these animals are found in tropical and sub-tropical waters all around the world and look similar to a barracuda because of their long, striped bodies. This streamlined shape likely plays a part in why they are so fast, with many sources agreeing that they can reach up to 48 mph at full pelt.
Mako shark
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Thanks to their strong slender bodies, hydrodynamic skin and powerful tails, sharks can swim incredibly quickly when they need to. The fastest of them all is the short-finned mako shark. These speed demons can swim at around 31mph, but when they really need to get a move on they can accelerate up to 46 mph. This helps them catch fast-moving prey like tuna and swordfish.
Orca
Killer whale and calf/Credit: Getty Images
Although some of the fish species in our list hit more impressive speeds, orcas are the fastest mammal in the ocean. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the fastest marine mammal ever recorded was a male killer whale who reached 34.5 miles per hour in October 1958 – another incredible skill to add to the list for these apex predators (which rule the ocean to such an extent that they’re known to take down great white sharks.
Dall’s porpoise
Many people won’t have heard of the largest species of porpoise – the Dall’s porpoise – but these cetaceans don’t just look a little like killer whales with their striking black and white markings. They also rival orcas for speed, picking up the pace at up to 34mph over short distances. Hurtling along at the surface, they create a fan-shaped splash behind them, often described as a “rooster tail.”
Pilot whale
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With a nickname like “the cheetahs of the deep sea,” you’d expect pilot whales to be able to get a move on when they need to. These large dolphins can reach 20 mph when they’re diving to the deep to hunt for squid to eat for dinner.
Fin whale
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Another cetacean species that is referred to as a “greyhounds of the sea” is the enormous fin whale. These animals are the second largest creature on the planet, following the blue whale, and can swim at up to 27mph.
Sei whale
Perhaps more deserving of this nickname is the sei whale, which swims more quickly – at more than 30 mph (although the species’ exact top speed differs, depending who you ask).
Flying fish
Although flying fish have wing-like pectoral fins, they don’t flap these like a bird when they want to get air bound. The key to their flight is speed. Racing through the water, they build up speed to more than 35 mph and launch themselves above the surface, spreading their ‘wings’ to glide through the air. This clever tactic is how they escape hungry predators.