List of fish encountered in Swedish waters; both fresh water (lakes and streams) and in the marine salt water. The table denotes species native to Sweden, as well as those introduced from neighbouring countries and those that have only occurred occasionally. There are approximately 140 species which are native and common in Sweden, plus another 90 which are sporadic, not established or extinct. The IUCN Red List is a set of criteria for fish population statuses. The following terminology is used: extinct, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, least concern, disappeared, data deficient and not evaluated.
List
Aulopiformes The Aulopiformes, or grinners, are marine fish, most of which live in deep-sea waters in the Atlantic. Only sporadically encountered in Swedish waters, e.g. the Magnisudis atlantica has to date been found eight times, the first in 1960 and the last in 1978.
Acipenseriformes (sturgeon-like fish) The Acipenseriformes are an order of primitive ray-finned fishes that includes the sturgeons and paddlefishes. There have been occasional finds in Swedish waters. Some species, such as the beluga sturgeon are heavily desired for its roe, or caviar. Some species of sturgeons are known to have populated Swedish waters in the 19th century along the coast lines of the Baltic Sea and in some inland streams. The population has now probably disappeared, and the Red List denotes it as disappeared (RE). Stuffed specimens are common in museums.
Anguilliformes (eel fish) The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in Swedish waters has radically diminished in the latest decades, and is now listed as critically endangered. The population is estimated to have decreased to 1–10% of what it was in the 1970s. Eels are sensitive of environmental pollution, but the fishing of eel has also increased, especially in French waters. As eels migrate long distances, overfishing and pollution in one location may endanger the population and little is known of all possible causes for the diminishing population. The eel is a popular dish, especially in southern Sweden, and is economically of importance with catches of around 1,000 tonnes (1,200 in 1983). It is prepared by being smoked.
Carcharhiniformes (ground sharks) The order Carcharhiniformes, or ground sharks, are the largest order of sharks and include many well-known types such as the blue shark and the sandbar shark.
Beryciformes The Beryciformes are an order of ray-finned fishes. They live solely in deep marine waters, usually in tropical areas, and are only sporadically seen in Nordic waters.
Beloniformes The Beloniformes are an order of "horned" fishes. The most notable species here is the garfish (Belone belone) which swims in large shoals during the summer along the coasts of south and west Sweden, and caught for food or sport. The catch during 1983 was 44 tonnes.
Batrachoidiformes The order Batrachoidiformes, or toadfish, are a type of ray-finned fish normally found on the sand and mud bottoms of coastal waters worldwide. The only example of a fish from this order caught in Swedish water was a specimen of Halobatrachus didactylus—a fish native to the coasts of Africa—caught by the shore of southern Sweden in 1820 (specimens preserved).
Chimaeriformes (ghost sharks) The order Chimaeriformes is common in tropical waters. The only species found in Swedish water is the Chimaera monstrosa which is somewhat common in the westernmost waters of Sweden, the Skagerrak. This fish is unsuitable as a food fish, but its large liver is used to produce a lubricant.
Clupeiformes (herring-like fish) Clupeiformes is the order of ray-finned fish that includes the herring family, Clupeidae, and the anchovy family, Engraulidae. The herring is common around the coasts of Sweden where it is often the most common fish—the population fluctuates yearly. The herring has been of historical importance for the Swedish economy and food since the Middle Ages. It is still the most economically important Swedish fish. The catch of herring in Swedish waters in 1996 was 132,153 tonnes, of which 74,293 tonnes became fish meal and 57,860 tonnes was sold to consumers. The Swedes have two names for herring, sill or strömming, depending on where they have been caught, west or east of the island of Bornholm. The herring is also an important part of the Swedish cuisine. It is served pickled both at Christmas and at Midsummer, and in northern Sweden the fermented herring, surströmming, is popular treat. Shoals of anchovies are denoted as native and common, but the anchovy is primarily native to southern Europe, and the shoals in Nordic waters vary between years. As such, anchovy fishing is not reliable. A third economically important fish of this order is the European sprat (Sprattus sprattus). The catch in Swedish waters in 1996 was 168,582 tonnes. It is often flavoured and put in cans labeled as anchovy, which is incorrect from a zoological point of view, but fairly accurate in terms of usage. This pickled "anchovy" is a main ingredient of the Swedish traditional dish Janssons frestelse.
Cypriniformes The order Cypriniformes consists of several families of carp-like fishes, the most important being the cyprinids—the carps and minnows. The carp bream (Abramis brama), the largest of the breams, is of note in Swedish fresh waters. Once an important source of food (which is still the case in parts of Europe), it is today only of economic importance in Sweden's southern parts (Skåne, etc.). However it is still common in other waters in Sweden, where it is a popular game fish.
Esociformes (pike fish) There is only one fish of the genus Esox in Europe: the Esox lucius, epox, also known as northern pike. This fish is common in lakes in the whole of Sweden, with the exceptions of the northernmost regions where it is only sporadic. Commercial fishing is practically non-existent. Most epox are caught by sport-fishers; it is the largest fish in fresh waters, with the official record weight (in Swedish fresh waters) being 31 kg.
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