#11.
Lobsters Lobsters are considered to be one of the most
well-known sea creatures that never stop growing.
They actually start off pretty small but then they can grow into massive creatures, well,
as long as they aren’t eaten by another animal.
Lobsters can weigh 20 to 40 pounds.
Previous records have shown us that the largest lobster ever found weighed 44.4 pounds!
Lobsters also have this unique ability to molt their exoskeleton which gives them the
chance to grow into such large creatures.
The lobsters’ exoskeleton stops growing when they reach a certain size, hence every
time a lobster molts into its exoskeleton it grows a little larger.
The molting is quite an intensive process for the lobster and it’s tough that almost
10 to 15 percent of the lobsters die.
However, those that do survive continue this molting process and continue adding more muscle
cells so they can keep growing.
A lobster’s average lifespan is around 45 to 50 years if they are living in the wild.
Keep in mind, that’s just the average.
Records show that there are some lobsters that grow up to a 100 years old
#10.
Goldfish The goldish is actually considered to be a
bit smaller member of the carp family but a lot of people don’t know that in the right
environment, goldfish can also grow to massive sizes.
Unfortunately, most goldfish are kept in small aquariums which limits their ability to live
long and grow.
However, when we put them into a tank or a large pond, a goldfish can grow as long as
15 or even 19 inches.
Isn’t that amazing?
On top of that, these adorable creatures can also live more than 40 years, which well extends
their potential for growth.
The oldest goldfish that has ever lived was actually bought in the 1960s and it was named
Goldie.
Something even more fascinating is that the goldfish can also change colors.
If you leave a goldfish in a completely dark area, it will slowly change from its natural
orangish-red to something as light as white or even gray.
This is because there's a pigment in a goldfish's cells that reflects light and gives it the
color.
When the fish is kept away from light for longer periods then it will slowly lose its
beautiful color.
#9.
King Crab Just like lobsters, crabs are special creatures
that have the power to never stop growing.
When we talk about king crabs this creature can grow into a massive size, as long as we
humans don't catch it or kill it.
These creatures originate from hermit crabs and up till now we know that 121 species exist.
The largest among them is the red king crab and it can grow a carapace up to 11 inches
in length and its legs can span up to 5.9 feet.
On top of that, these crabs can weigh as heavy as 28 pounds and live in their wild habitat
for up to 30 years.
Unfortunately, this is pretty rare due to the looming danger of predators and the destructive
nature of the fishing industry.
This prevents the majority of them from reaching adulthood.
Initially, when king crabs hatch, they are so small that they float in the water easily,
and their diet consists solely of plankton.
However, as they grow, they become so heavy that they have no choice but to sink in the
deep blue ocean.
#8.
Quahog Clam The quahog clam is a well-known species, and
its popularity can be owed to its long life.
To be more specific, this creature can live for multiple centuries and can be found all
over the world.
Previous records show that the oldest quahog clam lived up to 507 years old.
It is possible to tell how old a quahog clam is based on the rings on its shell.
You can easily tell their age in the same way you would tell the age of a tree since
every year the shell of the quahog clam grows wider and obtains a new ring.
However, in order to see this, you have to crack open the shell which obviously kills
the quahog clam.
#7.
Shark We already know that sharks are large sea
creatures.
However, did you know that the largest shark species is called Megalodon and it can grow
up to 67 feet long and weigh more than 65,000 pounds?
Sharks are also an example of sea creatures that never stop growing and it continues to
grow as long as the environment facilitates its growth.
The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea and this massive creature can go as long
as 40 feet in length and weigh as heavy as 60 tons.
Although few survive to reach complete maturity, those that do live exceptionally long lives.
Some scientists have estimated that they can live up to 150 years old.
The great white shark also never stops growing, they constantly grow new teeth and may produce
over 20,000 teeth over the course of their lives.
#6.
Rougheye Rockfish The Rougheye rockfish, also called the blackthroat
or blacktip rockfish belongs to the rockfish family.
These are spiny fish that can live exceptionally long and never stop growing until they die.
In fact, they can live up to 205 years.
Pretty crazy, right?
Well, they also spend a long time growing since most rougheye rockfish don’t sexually
mature until they reach 20 to 27 and they continue to grow even after reaching adulthood.
A fully grown rockfish can be as big as 38 inches long and can weigh up to 40 pounds.
The rougheye rockfish, similar to goldfish, needs plenty of space in order to grow and
the oldest and largest specimens live in deeper water, where they like to spend time near
the seabed full of crevices and caves.
Unfortunately, these fish are pretty rare and can be found only near Japan and California.
#5.
Smallmouth Bass Another example of sea life that never stops
growing is the smallmouth bass which is native to eastern North America and can be found
in various different bodies of freshwater, such as streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers.
The weight, shape, and even color of the smallmouth bass are affected by their habitat.
The smallest smallmouth bass are the ones that live in ponds, while the smallmouth bass
that lives in lakes tends to be the largest.
The average length of the smallmouth bass is about 12 to 16 inches long, however, they
can grow to be over 27 inches long provided they are given enough food and space to grow.
Another interesting fact about this creature is that the females have been recorded to
be larger than the males.
The current fishing world record for smallmouth bass is by David Hayes who caught a smallmouth
bass of 11 pounds 15 oz, in the Dale Hollow Reservoir in 1955.
#4.
Lungfish We’ve seen many sea creatures that never
stop growing, and up next we have a special fish that does the same.
As an indeterminate grower, the lungfish is known as a living fossil and if you look at
it, there are ONLY six known species of lungfish.
These can be found living in several countries like South America, Africa, and Australia.
Lungfish species, like all other indeterminate growers, will continue to grow as long as
you give them the ideal space and opportunity.
The usual lungfish weighs only 10 pounds, however, some lungfish have been reported
to be significantly larger and up to three feet long.
Out of all the African lungfish species the largest lungfish can grow up to 2 meters.
By appearance, these fish look pretty strange and their thin, long bodies are easily mistaken
as eels.
The lungfish can also live in the mud when water levels are low since they get 90 percent
of their oxygen from the air.
Some records show that the African lungfish can sleep out of water for three to five years
without any sustenance, and then it will easily wake up when freshwater becomes available
in their surroundings.
#3.
Coral Although commonly confused as a plant species,
Coral is another animal that possesses the property of having an indeterminate growth.
Age estimates also show us that they are the most long-lived species on the planet.
You would be shocked to know that the largest ever known coral is considered to be a dome-shaped
Porites in American Samoa.
This coral is measured about 22 meters across and 8 meters high, and is estimated to be
between 420 and 652 years old!
As observed at the Great Coral Reef in Australia, if provided with the right conditions, any
coral can grow to exceptionally massive sizes.
Coral are initially larvae which then start to grow as soon as they attach themselves
to a firm surface.
The coral is known to grow until the day that they die.
The age of a coral reef can often be determined by its size and it can continue to grow about
one to eight inches every year.
#2.
Backward Aging jellyfish Another super cool animal on this list is
the backward aging jellyfish.
This animal has the power to cheat death by simply reversing its aging process.
Who knew that was possible?
Whenever this jellyfish gets any type of injury or it falls sick, it returns to its polyp
stage over a three-day period, transforming its cells into a younger state that will slowly
grow into maturity all over again.
This allows the jellyfish to live a long and healthy life and continue growing.
The backward aging jellyfish is also known as the immortal jellyfish all thanks to its
unique superpower!
#1.
Tardigrade Tardigrades also known as water bears or moss
piglets.
When you look at them you might think of them as unordinary, boring creatures.
However, these tardigrades are far from that.
These creatures can grow up to a thousand years!
Yes, that’s right.
A thousand!
Tardigrades have this unique ability to enter a state of cryptobiosis, and in this state,
their metabolism literally halts.
This means that it takes them a long long time to die and they can enjoy an almost eternal
life.
At what age did you have your growth spurt?
Let us know in the comment section below.#11.
Lobsters Lobsters are considered to be one of the most
well-known sea creatures that never stop growing.
They actually start off pretty small but then they can grow into massive creatures, well,
as long as they aren’t eaten by another animal.
Lobsters can weigh 20 to 40 pounds.
Previous records have shown us that the largest lobster ever found weighed 44.4 pounds!
Lobsters also have this unique ability to molt their exoskeleton which gives them the
chance to grow into such large creatures.
The lobsters’ exoskeleton stops growing when they reach a certain size, hence every
time a lobster molts into its exoskeleton it grows a little larger.
The molting is quite an intensive process for the lobster and it’s tough that almost
10 to 15 percent of the lobsters die.
However, those that do survive continue this molting process and continue adding more muscle
cells so they can keep growing.
A lobster’s average lifespan is around 45 to 50 years if they are living in the wild.
Keep in mind, that’s just the average.
Records show that there are some lobsters that grow up to a 100 years old
#10.
Goldfish The goldish is actually considered to be a
bit smaller member of the carp family but a lot of people don’t know that in the right
environment, goldfish can also grow to massive sizes.
Unfortunately, most goldfish are kept in small aquariums which limits their ability to live
long and grow.
However, when we put them into a tank or a large pond, a goldfish can grow as long as
15 or even 19 inches.
Isn’t that amazing?
On top of that, these adorable creatures can also live more than 40 years, which well extends
their potential for growth.
The oldest goldfish that has ever lived was actually bought in the 1960s and it was named
Goldie.
Something even more fascinating is that the goldfish can also change colors.
If you leave a goldfish in a completely dark area, it will slowly change from its natural
orangish-red to something as light as white or even gray.
This is because there's a pigment in a goldfish's cells that reflects light and gives it the
color.
When the fish is kept away from light for longer periods then it will slowly lose its
beautiful color.
#9.
King Crab Just like lobsters, crabs are special creatures
that have the power to never stop growing.
When we talk about king crabs this creature can grow into a massive size, as long as we
humans don't catch it or kill it.
These creatures originate from hermit crabs and up till now we know that 121 species exist.
The largest among them is the red king crab and it can grow a carapace up to 11 inches
in length and its legs can span up to 5.9 feet.
On top of that, these crabs can weigh as heavy as 28 pounds and live in their wild habitat
for up to 30 years.
Unfortunately, this is pretty rare due to the looming danger of predators and the destructive
nature of the fishing industry.
This prevents the majority of them from reaching adulthood.
Initially, when king crabs hatch, they are so small that they float in the water easily,
and their diet consists solely of plankton.
However, as they grow, they become so heavy that they have no choice but to sink in the
deep blue ocean.
#8.
Quahog Clam The quahog clam is a well-known species, and
its popularity can be owed to its long life.
To be more specific, this creature can live for multiple centuries and can be found all
over the world.
Previous records show that the oldest quahog clam lived up to 507 years old.
It is possible to tell how old a quahog clam is based on the rings on its shell.
You can easily tell their age in the same way you would tell the age of a tree since
every year the shell of the quahog clam grows wider and obtains a new ring.
However, in order to see this, you have to crack open the shell which obviously kills
the quahog clam.
#7.
Shark We already know that sharks are large sea
creatures.
However, did you know that the largest shark species is called Megalodon and it can grow
up to 67 feet long and weigh more than 65,000 pounds?
Sharks are also an example of sea creatures that never stop growing and it continues to
grow as long as the environment facilitates its growth.
The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea and this massive creature can go as long
as 40 feet in length and weigh as heavy as 60 tons.
Although few survive to reach complete maturity, those that do live exceptionally long lives.
Some scientists have estimated that they can live up to 150 years old.
The great white shark also never stops growing, they constantly grow new teeth and may produce
over 20,000 teeth over the course of their lives.
#6.
Rougheye Rockfish The Rougheye rockfish, also called the blackthroat
or blacktip rockfish belongs to the rockfish family.
These are spiny fish that can live exceptionally long and never stop growing until they die.
In fact, they can live up to 205 years.
Pretty crazy, right?
Well, they also spend a long time growing since most rougheye rockfish don’t sexually
mature until they reach 20 to 27 and they continue to grow even after reaching adulthood.
A fully grown rockfish can be as big as 38 inches long and can weigh up to 40 pounds.
The rougheye rockfish, similar to goldfish, needs plenty of space in order to grow and
the oldest and largest specimens live in deeper water, where they like to spend time near
the seabed full of crevices and caves.
Unfortunately, these fish are pretty rare and can be found only near Japan and California.
#5.
Smallmouth Bass Another example of sea life that never stops
growing is the smallmouth bass which is native to eastern North America and can be found
in various different bodies of freshwater, such as streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers.
The weight, shape, and even color of the smallmouth bass are affected by their habitat.
The smallest smallmouth bass are the ones that live in ponds, while the smallmouth bass
that lives in lakes tends to be the largest.
The average length of the smallmouth bass is about 12 to 16 inches long, however, they
can grow to be over 27 inches long provided they are given enough food and space to grow.
Another interesting fact about this creature is that the females have been recorded to
be larger than the males.
The current fishing world record for smallmouth bass is by David Hayes who caught a smallmouth
bass of 11 pounds 15 oz, in the Dale Hollow Reservoir in 1955.
#4.
Lungfish We’ve seen many sea creatures that never
stop growing, and up next we have a special fish that does the same.
As an indeterminate grower, the lungfish is known as a living fossil and if you look at
it, there are ONLY six known species of lungfish.
These can be found living in several countries like South America, Africa, and Australia.
Lungfish species, like all other indeterminate growers, will continue to grow as long as
you give them the ideal space and opportunity.
The usual lungfish weighs only 10 pounds, however, some lungfish have been reported
to be significantly larger and up to three feet long.
Out of all the African lungfish species the largest lungfish can grow up to 2 meters.
By appearance, these fish look pretty strange and their thin, long bodies are easily mistaken
as eels.
The lungfish can also live in the mud when water levels are low since they get 90 percent
of their oxygen from the air.
Some records show that the African lungfish can sleep out of water for three to five years
without any sustenance, and then it will easily wake up when freshwater becomes available
in their surroundings.
#3.
Coral Although commonly confused as a plant species,
Coral is another animal that possesses the property of having an indeterminate growth.
Age estimates also show us that they are the most long-lived species on the planet.
You would be shocked to know that the largest ever known coral is considered to be a dome-shaped
Porites in American Samoa.
This coral is measured about 22 meters across and 8 meters high, and is estimated to be
between 420 and 652 years old!
As observed at the Great Coral Reef in Australia, if provided with the right conditions, any
coral can grow to exceptionally massive sizes.
Coral are initially larvae which then start to grow as soon as they attach themselves
to a firm surface.
The coral is known to grow until the day that they die.
The age of a coral reef can often be determined by its size and it can continue to grow about
one to eight inches every year.
#2.
Backward Aging jellyfish Another super cool animal on this list is
the backward aging jellyfish.
This animal has the power to cheat death by simply reversing its aging process.
Who knew that was possible?
Whenever this jellyfish gets any type of injury or it falls sick, it returns to its polyp
stage over a three-day period, transforming its cells into a younger state that will slowly
grow into maturity all over again.
This allows the jellyfish to live a long and healthy life and continue growing.
The backward aging jellyfish is also known as the immortal jellyfish all thanks to its
unique superpower!
#1.
Tardigrade Tardigrades also known as water bears or moss
piglets.
When you look at them you might think of them as unordinary, boring creatures.
However, these tardigrades are far from that.
These creatures can grow up to a thousand years!
Yes, that’s right.
A thousand!
Tardigrades have this unique ability to enter a state of cryptobiosis, and in this state,
their metabolism literally halts.
This means that it takes them a long long time to die and they can enjoy an almost eternal
life.
At what age did you have your growth spurt?
Let us know in the comment section below.