[WINTER UPDATE 1] Deep Blue Subnautical Adventure

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Welcome to our game. We hope you enjoy exploring the endless oceans with us.

Welcome to the Ocean

Good luck on your journey of discovery into the ocean where you shall find many mysterious creatures, shipwrecks, ruins, caves and sea mounts to explore!

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Thank you for checking out our gift shop where all our merchandise helps support our game's development as well as the development of future games.

Welcome to the Abyss

A bright yellow submersible transports you on your journey into the deep dark abyss where marine life still flourishes under immense pressure and lack of sunlight. Submersibles are utilized by scientists to travel to parts of the ocean too deep to dive due to pressure. However, with your special unlimited air mixture in your scuba tanks as well as pressure-defying wetsuits, you'll be able to make this dive to explore the deep dark sea floor (only within our game of course).

Whale Shark

Whale sharks are the largest species of shark but unlike the inaccurate depiction of sharks in the blockbuster film, Jaws, they are peaceful filter feeders of plankton. They are not only the largest species of shark but also the largest fish in the ocean as well. They are threatened by pollution like with all marine species. [OCEAN]

Reef Manta Ray

The Reef Manta Ray is found in the Indo-Pacific region and is one of two species of "manta" rays. However, the genus Manta is no longer considered valid and they are placed in the genus Mobula instead. [OCEAN]

Humphead Wrasse

The Humphead Wrasse, also known as the “Napoleon Fish”, is a large species of fish that thrives in coral reefs. It is well-known for its bizarre colours and feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, and starfish. The biggest threat to them is through the unregulated capturing and selling of them to the pet trade, which doesn’t make much sense anyway, as this fish is too large to keep in most home tanks. [OCEAN]

Short-Beaked Common Dolphin

The Short-Beaked Common Dolphin, as its name suggests, is a very common species of dolphin found throughout the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Black Sea, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. They are very playful and have been known to ride the bow waves of ships. [OCEAN]

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a critically endangered species of sea turtle. It can be found in most of the world's warm seas but rarely leaves that climate. 95% of their diet can be made up of sea sponges, which is not something you would picture any reptile ever eating. They were hunted severely for their decorative shells until governments banned the sale of products made from those shells. [OCEAN]

Welcome to the Icy Seas

You have travelled to the frigid icy waters of the Arctic to the North and the Antarctic to the South in the footsteps of explorers throughout the decades. As surprising as this might be, both the land and waters here are teeming with lots of marine life. The polar seas truly are unique biomes that definitely welcome you to explore them but it is strongly recommend you wear a dry suit to keep warm. What secrets might be lurking beneath the frigid water and beyond the pale fog?

West Indian Manatee

Although its name might suggest that it is found in India, these gentle mammals are native to coastal waters of the Caribbean and West Atlantic. West Indian Manatees are the largest living manatee species and are herbivores, feeding primarily on seagrass. [OCEAN]

Southern Stingray

The Southern Stingray is one of the more well-known saltwater rays. It is commonly known to bury itself in sand to hide from predators and can be seen as well as encountered in most aquariums around the world. [OCEAN]

Fin Whale

The Fin Whale is the second largest species of animal on Earth, after the Blue Whale. Unfortunately, due to whaling, their populations declined significantly. Even though their populations are significantly lower than in the past, they still are making a slow recovery that is threatened by both pollution as well as whaling. [OCEAN]

Ocean Sunfish

The Ocean Sunfish, sporting the unusual scientific name of Mola mola, is one of the largest bony fish in the world. They swim slowly across the ocean, feeding on plankton, as well as having a bizarre fin shape that is not useful for swimming fast. Due to their slow swimming, they rely on their size to avoid predators. [OCEAN]

Sand Tiger Shark

While they may appear fearsome, Sand Tiger Sharks are actually quite peaceful as well as slow moving. They feed on squids, bony fish, crustaceans, skates, as well as smaller species of shark, usually not posing a threat to anything as large as an adult human. They are very commonly kept in aquariums around the world as they are easily able to tolerate being held in them. These cartilaginous fish are not related to tiger sharks. [OCEAN]

Yellow Surgeonfish

Sporting a distinctive yellow coloration, the Yellow Surgeonfish is smaller than many of its relatives. They are a common and numerous sight in the Pacific Ocean, especially near Hawaii. [OCEAN]

Spot-fin Porcupinefish

Typically found hiding in caves and between rocks, the Spot-fin Porcupinefish is one of the largest and most charismatic of its group. [OCEAN]

Chilean Devil Ray

The Chilean Devil Ray is a medium-sized ray that can be found not just near Chile but worldwide in the open seas far from shore. It is remarkable in its ability to dive to depths of up to 1,848 metres (6,063 feet) below the surface to feed on the ridiculously abundant bristlemouth fish found down there in the deep. [OCEAN]

Humpback Whale

This species of whale is well known for their majestic songs that travel across the ocean. Scientists have studied their systems of noises to decipher their meanings. Humpback Whales feed on plankton, small fish, and krill. They are also known for behaviors like leaping from depths into the air as well as flapping their fins like wings. They truly are a favourite of all whale watchers and naturalists alike. [OCEAN]

Green Sea Turtle

The Green Sea Turtle is what most people picture when they hear the phrase 'sea turtle'. Its relatively smooth and flat shell allows algae to grow there, which attracts a swarm of marine algae-eaters like surgeonfish. [OCEAN]

Powder Blue Surgeonfish

This fish will form schools if food is abundant, but in times of scarcity, it may turn on its own kind. The Powder Blue Surgeonfish is also extremely prone to disease when kept in captivity, so it requires a high level of care. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin

The Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin is the most common of the three species of 'bottlenose dolphin' and considered by many to be the classic dolphin. Although commonly seen as beautiful and innocent, these highly intelligent marine mammals can be quite aggressive towards other dolphins. [OCEAN]

Common Octopus

This species of octopus is the most commonly studied species of octopus around the world. They are really intelligent, having been known to be able to distinguish the physical characteristics of objects, being able to open jars/containers, and sneaking into crab/lobster traps. Common Octopuses (octopuses is, in fact, the correct plural form of octopus) have also been known to form friendships with some divers as well. [OCEAN]

Rainbow Parrotfish

The Rainbow Parrotfish is a large parrotfish native to the Atlantic. Unlike many parrotfish, this species feeds on detritus, small benthic organisms, and sponges, typically leaving the algae that other parrotfish prefer alone. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Goliath Grouper

The Atlantic Goliath Grouper is a large fish with an appetite to match. The prey animals that this species has been reported to eat include things such as turtles, barracudas, and even fearsome lemon sharks. [OCEAN]

Coral Grouper

The Coral Grouper, also known by many other common names, is one of the smaller groupers but is still an aggressive predator of crustaceans and small fish such as Anthias. These groupers often live in groups of one male and multiple females and claim wide, open, areas as their territory. [OCEAN]

Blue and Yellow Grouper

This solitary predator is found in the Indian Ocean and will eat nearly any prey it can fit in its mouth. You would be forgiven for not recognizing the Blue and Yellow Grouper due to its coloration that suggests it would be an entirely different sort of fish. [OCEAN]

Vaquita

The Vaquita, translated in Spanish as "little cow", is truly an adorable species of porpoise that lives in the Gulf of California. Unfortunately, it is also the most endangered marine mammal due to being bycatch from fishing as well as pollution, with less than 10 individuals remaining. We must continue to protect our oceans from these threats to ensure the Vaquita as well as all other marine organisms thrive for generations to come. [OCEAN]

Basking Shark

The Basking Shark is the second largest fish in the world, outsized only by the whale shark. It is found throughout the world's colder oceans, opening its enormous mouth to suck in huge amounts of tiny planktonic organisms. [OCEAN]

Blue Sea Star

The Blue Sea Star can be found in the shallows of Indo-Pacific reefs and is quite common. It is famous for its arms being able to regrow into full starfish, meaning it can reproduce by tearing its own limbs off. [OCEAN]

Nassau Grouper

This critically endangered fish is found in the West Atlantic and is at risk of extinction because many humans find it to taste very good. Usually solitary, large numbers of Nassau Groupers gather in winter by the light of the full moon to spawn. [OCEAN]

Warty Sea Cucumber

The Warty Sea Cucumber, like most sea cucumbers, is known to spit out its organs to defend itself from predators. [OCEAN]

Giant Devil Ray

Giant Devil Rays can be found all over the Atlantic and Mediterranean, however their population is decreasing as they are unable to reproduce fast enough to keep up with the changing environment. [OCEAN]

Olive RidIey Sea Turtle

The most abundant sea turtle in the world, the Olive RidIey Sea Turtle can be found in all warm seas and, in a few bizarre incidents, the British Isles. This species is known for its behavior in which females return in large numbers to the beaches where they hatched and lay their eggs, starting the cycle again. [OCEAN]

Blotched Foxface

Quite similar to the species known simply as the Foxface, the Blotched Foxface can be identified by a dark spot on its side. This fish and its relatives are popular in both home and public aquaria as they are naturally inclined to graze, removing unwanted algae and keeping tanks clean. [OCEAN]

Ocellaris Clownfish

Made famous by a certain movie, the Ocellaris Clownfish, alongside all other clownfish, is actually a species of damselfish. These particular small fish are one of the most common clownfish and live in a symbiotic partnership with sea anemones, which defend the clownfish with their toxic mucus in exchange for scraps of food that the clownfish drops while eating, as well as the clownfish chasing off certain fish that might eat or damage the anemone. [OCEAN]

Short-tail Stingray

This species of stingray is a large species of stingray known for using a venomous stinger in defense when threatened. Remember to give Short-tail Stingrays caution if you encounter them, for if stung somewhere vital, things may turn deadly. They usually are peaceful and tend to swim near the bottom hunting for mollusks, crustaceans, fish, and marine worms. [OCEAN]

Olive Flounder

The Olive Flounder is a species of flounder that lurks on the seafloor. It is highly valued in terms of cuisine used in various dishes. They have been raised in fish farms throughout South Korea, Japan, and China for this reason. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Sturgeon

This species was once found across the Atlantic and adjacent waters. However, due to recent human threats such as pollution, the range of the Atlantic Sturgeon has decreased to just the eastern coast of North America, where they swim upstream to spawn. Recent reintroduction projects have managed to introduce populations of these long-lived fish into the waters they once occupied. [OCEAN]

Potato Grouper

Potato Groupers are a common sight in the Indo-Pacific and are known to frequently approach divers. They are solitary ambush predators that hide under overhangs and then dart out to grab... well, really anything they can fit in their mouth. [OCEAN]

Peales Dolphin

Known only from the waters around South America's southern tip, this small dolphin is commonly found in groups. Like many dolphins, they employ various cooperative hunting techniques, even alongside other species of dolphin, to maximize the number of prey they can catch. [OCEAN]

Humpback Grouper

Quite uniquely shaped among fish, the Humpback Grouper is found throughout the Indo-Pacific but may be invasive elsewhere. These fish are all born female but have the ability to restructure their anatomy to become males as they grow older. [OCEAN]

Black Grouper

The Black Grouper is common throughout the West Atlantic and is a popular fish to catch and eat. Unlike some groupers, this species is still thriving and not declining enough to be endangered. [OCEAN]

Olive Sea Snake

Although this snake is best known from the Indo-Pacific, it has been sighted in the Northwest Atlantic as well. Unlike some sea snakes, the Olive Sea Snake prefers to hunt in coral reefs rather than the open sea. [OCEAN]

Grey Reef Shark

These fast and agile sharks are found throughout the Indo-Pacific, where they fill a top predator role in reef ecosystems. Grey Reef Sharks often hunt in groups and can sometimes be aggressive towards divers. [OCEAN]

Oceanic Manta Ray

The largest species of ray in the world, the Oceanic Manta Ray can be found worldwide and has a somewhat more open-water lifestyle than its reef cousin. They gather in groups and use the fins on their face to scoop and eat small organisms such as shrimp and krill. [OCEAN]

White Sturgeon

This species of fish can be found along the western coast of North America, although many individuals are known to live in lakes their whole life and never see the ocean. The White Sturgeon is famous for jumping out of the water and occasionally doing severe damage to unlucky fishing boats. [OCEAN]

Clown Triggerfish

A rather aggressive species of fish, the Clown Triggerfish is active during the day but hides under overhangs at night. They are easily recognizable and tend to live on their own. [OCEAN]

Achilles Surgeonfish

This herbivorous fish is one of the most iconic members of the surgeonfish family, surpassed only by a few others. The Achilles Surgeonfish is quite common in the Indo-Pacific, as well as in the aquarium trade. [OCEAN]

Largetooth Sawfish

The Largetooth Sawfish, also known as the common sawfish, may look like a shark and a ray. In fact, it is actually a species of ray, not to be mistaken with sawsharks, a group of sharks which it looks similar to. This fish, like sawsharks, uses its long spiky snout, known as a rostrum, to slash into schools of fish to feed on. This species of sawfish is found in tropical waters worldwide and is known to go into freshwater as well. Unfortunately it is critically endangered due to overfishing, habitat loss, the use of their fins for shark-fin soup (unusual, since it is not even a shark) and the sale of their saws as novelty items. [OCEAN]

Reef Bannerfish

The Reef Bannerfish is usually found in deeper reefs, feeding on small invertebrates in pairs or groups. It is visually similar to the unrelated Moorish Idol, and is often substituted for it in aquariums, as the aforementioned fish is nearly impossible to keep alive in a tank for any amount of time. [OCEAN]

Regal Surgeonfish

The Regal Surgeonfish is an oddball among the surgeonfish group and the only member of the genus Paracanthurus. It has evolved a unique shape not seen among its relatives and also has a unique diet, eating small crustaceans like krill and shrimp, whereas most surgeonfish prefer to graze on algae. [OCEAN]

Marbled Flounder

The Marbled Flounder is a species of flounder that spends most of its life hunting small crustaceans on the seafloor. This fish, alongside other flatfish, possesses two eyes on the same side of its body, allowing it to see in multiple directions while still laying sideways on the sand. [OCEAN]

Round Stingray

The Round Stingray is a small, common species of ray known to feed on small crabs and marine worms. A favourite food source of elephant seals, sea bass, and hammerhead sharks; this ray is considered oddly cute by many people. [OCEAN]

Common Nurse Shark

Also known simply as the “nurse shark”, the Common Nurse Shark is widespread in the tropical West Atlantic but can also be found in other areas. Even though they can grow larger than people, they pose no threat to anything that isn’t a crustacean or bottom-dwelling fish and would much rather rest on the seafloor than attack anyone. [OCEAN]

Tubeworms

These may look either like plants, coral, or festive Christmas decorations but don't be fooled. These are actually a type of worm known as Tubeworms who feed from the minerals produced by hydrothermal vents through a symbiotic partnership with bacteria within them that convert those minerals into sugars. [ABYSS]

Salmon Snailfish

One of the most well-known members of the genus Careproctus, the Salmon Snailfish is named for its coloration that resembles salmon flesh, as it is not similar in appearance to an actually living salmon. This fish is, interestingly, kept in public aquaria, as it seems to do better in captivity than most deep-sea species. [ABYSS]

Lesser Devil Ray

These fast-swimming rays can be seen leaping out of the water and feeding on crustaceans and smaller fish. The Lesser Devil Ray, despite its much smaller size, is actually in the same genus as manta rays but found only in the West Atlantic where those are less common. [OCEAN]

Flatback Sea Turtle

Found only on the shores and in the shallows of Australia, the Flatback Turtle is not actually known well enough for scientists to say if it is endangered. Interestingly, it is nearly completely carnivorous and loves munching on all sorts of invertebrates but will rarely ever touch algae or plants. [OCEAN]

Goldtail Damselfish

Male Goldtail Damselfish will mate with many different females and amass the eggs from each of them at their nesting site. Each male's nest can have up to 10,000 eggs. [OCEAN]

Giant Clam

The Giant Clam is the largest species of bivalve on earth, capable of reaching 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length and weighing more than 500 pounds. They spend their whole lives on the seafloor. [OCEAN]

Brown Crab

The Brown Crab is a common sight in the temperate Atlantic and quite abundant. It is also known by the name of edible crab, which is a somewhat strange name as humans regularly eat a wide variety of crab species. [OCEAN]

Orca

The Orca, also commonly known as the “killer whale”, is one of the largest members of the dolphin family. They are known for their intelligence as well as hunting in extremely social pods, depending on their social groups as well as travelling throughout the oceans of the world for their survival. [OCEAN]

Long-spine Porcupinefish

The Long-Spine Porcupinefish, unlike most reef dwelling fish, can be found in nearly all of the world's tropical seas. [OCEAN]

Bottlenose Skate

The Bottlenose Skate is a rather widespread species of ray, inhabiting flat rocky areas from the British Isles all the way to South Africa and even parts of the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, this species is affected by overfishing and is now far less numerous than it once was. [OCEAN]

Common Angel Shark

Often known simply as the 'angel shark' (which could refer to any species in the genus Squatina) or 'monkfish' (which is a term often used to describe an unrelated type of anglerfish) , this species of flat-bodied shark was once numerous in the Northeast Atlantic, but recently its population has dwindled to a level where this species can be considered Critically Endangered. Although it may seem quite sluggish, the 'Common' Angel Shark is a fierce predator of bottom-dwelling fish. [OCEAN]

Malabar Grouper

Although the Malabar Grouper is native to the Indo-Pacific, some have managed to migrate through the Suez Canal to get to the Mediterranean. These large and voracious fish have been grown in aquaculture as a single grouper can provide a large amount of reportedly delicious meat. [OCEAN]

Blue-Spotted Hermit Crab

Despite their name, hermit crabs are not actually crabs, but they are indeed crustaceans. The Blue-Spotted Hermit Crab can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific. [OCEAN]

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is quite stockily built and is the world's heaviest hard-shelled turtle. This reptile is known for eating nearly anything it can, including crustaceans, sea stars, clams, jellyfish, insects (somehow), smaller turtles, plants, algae, fish, snails, sponges, coral, sea pens, worms, barnacles, anemones, squid, sea urchins, isopods, sea cucumbers, cephalopods, and of course all sorts of eggs. [OCEAN]

West Atlantic Trumpetfish

The West Atlantic Trumpetfish, despite being no small fish, is closely related to seahorses. That can be seen in its bizarre appearance and habit of swimming vertically when attempting to blend in with seaweed and coral. [OCEAN]

Scaleline Cusk-Eel

The largest member of the cusk eel group, the Scaleline Cusk-Eel can reach nearly two meters in length. While there are quite a few fish in shallow regions that do that, the lack of nutrients in the deep sea makes attaining sizes like that far more difficult. [ABYSS]

Japanese Spider Crab

The Japanese Spider Crab is the largest crab in the world, and the second-heaviest crustacean overall (only being outweighed by especially large lobsters, although the crab has much longer legs). It is typically not found as deep as other ‘deep sea’ species, although it does still show a preference for vents on the ocean floor. [ABYSS]

Long-Snouted Lancetfish

This distant relative of the spiderfish family swims around deep, open waters in search of prey. The Long-Snouted Lancetfish has earned the unusual nickname of ‘cannibal fish’ due to its voracious appetite and its tendency to eat anything it can, including its own kind. [ABYSS]

Brown Sea Cucumber

Brown Sea Cucumbers feed on floating particles of organic matter that float through the ocean. [OCEAN]

Sanderia Jellyfish

The Sanderia Jellyfish can be found in the tropical Indo-Pacific. It is also present in the Suez Canal, which, considering the disturbing rate of jellyfish population increase, means it could reach the Mediterranean soon. Its venom is dangerous to humans. [OCEAN]

Adriatic Sturgeon

The Adriatic Sturgeon is somewhat like a smaller, slightly different Atlantic Sturgeon, which is funny enough if you consider their names. This species, like many sturgeons, is critically endangered, and potentially even extinct in the wild. Hopefully reintroduction efforts can change that. [OCEAN]

Great Hammerhead Shark

The Great Hammerhead is, as its name implies, the largest species of hammerhead shark, able to grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) in length. Like all hammerheads, this large shark specializes in hunting stingrays, and is unlikely to attack people unless provoked. This species gives live birth and females can have with up to fifty-five young at a time. [OCEAN]

Common Torpedo Ray

The Common Torpedo Ray is a species of ray that is known for delivering a strong electric shock to defend itself from predators. They produce these electric shocks through the use of two identical organs. They also utilize this ability to pounce and stun their prey, which consists of crustaceans and small fish. Interestingly, this ray was not named after the weapon, because the weapon actually got its name from the ray. [OCEAN]

Garibaldi Damselfish

This species of fish is the largest in the family Pomacentridae and sports vivid coloration. Inhabiting the temperate kelp forests of the Eastern Pacific, Garibaldi Damselfish are quite aggressive when defending their nests. [OCEAN]

Queensland Grouper

The Queensland Grouper can be seen all over the Indo-Pacific and, occasionally weighing up to 400 kilograms (880 pounds), is one of the biggest boney fish in the world. Due to the yellow bands exhibited by juveniles of this species, it has earned the cute-sounding nickname of "bumblebee grouper". This has led some people to think that with a name like that, it would be a great little fish to have in their saltwater tank. They are very wrong indeed. [OCEAN]

Indian Sailfin Surgeonfish

As you might expect based on its name, this species is found in the Indian Ocean, unlike its close relative found in the Pacific. Indian Sailfin Surgeonfish are usually found in pairs alongside their mates and have strangely been observed occasionally feeding on jellyfish. [OCEAN]

Azure Damselfish

This widespread fish is well known as an aquarium species that makes a good pick for beginners. Recently, it has been bred in captivity, meaning potential Azure Damselfish owners might not need to be concerned about the environmental impact of its popularity. [OCEAN]

European Lobster

The European Lobster is a fascinating species of crustacean. Contrary to popular belief, all lobsters aren't red, they are only red after they have been boiled. However, several colour variations of lobsters occur naturally like blue, red, orange, and even the rare chimera lobsters which have multiple colours. [OCEAN]

Chinese Sea Snake

The Chinese Sea Snake is often found in coral reefs hunting for any fish that were unlucky enough to end up hiding among dense coral and rocks. Its venom is up to ten times stronger than that of a cobra's, making a bite from it quite dangerous. [OCEAN]

Common Stingray

The Common Stingray is a member of the ray family, which are cousins to sharks. It is known for having a dangerous stinger on its tail which it uses for defense. They feed on mollusks that hide under the sand of the seafloor. [OCEAN]

Horse-Eye Jack

Although these fish are quite numerous and frequently caught, eating them is not recommended as they are thought to be a significant carrier of ciguatera poisoning. Horse-Eye Jacks can be found throughout the tropical Atlantic. [OCEAN]

Leafy Sea Dragon

The Leafy Sea Dragon is a member of the sea horse family that is very unique through being able to camouflage with underwater vegetation through the leafy like growths on its body. Don't worry though. This dragon does not breathe fire and is harmless. [OCEAN]

Beluga Sturgeon

The Beluga Sturgeon, despite having a similar name to a certain species of whale, has nothing to do with it. This sturgeon is famous as the third heaviest bony fish species and continues growing its entire life, which can be over 100 years. [OCEAN]

Cowtail Stingray

This species of ray is quite widespread in the Indo-Pacific and has even been known to swim into freshwater. The name ‘Cowtail Stingray’ comes from the shape of their tail being similar to that of a cow. [OCEAN]

Gulf Calico Crab

The Gulf Calico Crab is an extremely small species of crab, yet quite uniquely colorful. It has sometimes been observed with anemones 'hitchhiking' on its back as it trundles along the sand. [OCEAN]

Yellow-Edged Moray Eel

Found hiding in crevices throughout the Indo-Pacific, the Yellow-Edged Moray is known as a natural predator of the venomous lionfish. Although not outwardly aggressive, this eel will defend itself and moray bites can become painfully infected. [OCEAN]

Zebra Shark

The Zebra Shark may not look like a zebra at its adult stage so you might be wondering how it gets that name. The answer lies in its young, who have a zebra pattern at that stage that gradually turns into the spotted one as they reach adulthood. This species of shark is harmless to humans and prefers to hunt crustaceans that live on the seafloor. [OCEAN]

Flame Box Crab

This crab is often referred to as a "shame-faced" crab because of the way it covers its face with its large claws. The Flame Box Crab is not a particularly well known species but has some of the most striking patterning of the group. [OCEAN]

Yellow-Lipped Sea Krait

The Yellow-Lipped Sea Krait is a species of snake that has evolved for swimming through the ocean. What is even more unusual is that the eels usually hunted by this reptile are slowly evolving to become more resilient to its venomous bite, in comparison to eels that live in areas without the sea krait. [OCEAN]

Threadfin Butterflyfish

The Threadfin Butterflyfish is an interesting fish mainly because of its taxonomic status. It is thought that this species may actually be two, found in different locations and potentially having enough genetic distance to be their own species. [OCEAN]

Stoke Sea Snake

The Stoke Sea Snake has an impressive set of teeth that can bite through a wetsuit into skin. It's best to keep your distance from these as they will strike multiple times and are of course venomous. They can be found in the Indo-Pacific, especially in areas such as Sri Lanka, and can also be seen migrating in groups of thousands. [OCEAN]

Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray

The Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray is a very unique species of stingray known for its unusual patterning. Even though it is popular with private aquarists, they are a poorly suited species to be kept in captivity. [OCEAN]

Pacific Sailfin Surgeonfish

This is the more well-known, more common cousin of the Indian Sailfin Surgeonfish. As its name suggests, the Pacific Sailfin Surgeonfish inhabits the Pacific Ocean, although it does appear in the Indian Ocean as well, leading to understandable confusion between the two similar species. [OCEAN]

Brownbanded Bamboo Shark

These reef-dwelling sharks are frequently encountered in aquaria due to their smaller size and peaceful disposition. Brownbanded Bamboo Sharks can live for up to 25 years in captivity. [OCEAN]

Giant Moray Eel

The Giant Moray Eel is the largest species of moray eel in terms of body mass and can grow up to at least three meters in length. They have been observed hunting in packs with other species of fish such as groupers. They work as a team to maximize the amount of prey caught, which is unusual to see among different species of fish. [OCEAN]

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

The most common species of hammerhead, Scalloped Hammerheads are frequently found in warm waters across the globe. These relatively large sharks have high metabolic rates, meaning they need to eat quite a bit of food to survive. Like other members of its family, this species has a relatively odd field of view due to its bizarre head shape. [OCEAN]

Abyssal Snailfish

Although the term ‘abyssal snailfish’ could be used to describe a variety of species, it is this particular fish that it is used for as a common name. The Abyssal Snailfish is native to the Northern Pacific and is thought to guard its own offspring in its mouth. [ABYSS]

Redtail Butterflyfish

Also known as the Brown Butterflyfish or Pakistani Butterflyfish, the Redtail Butterflyfish eats mainly coral and lives throughout the Indo-Pacific. This species appears frequently in the aquarium trade, although potential owners should keep in mind how destructive this fish is towards coral. [OCEAN]

Leatherback Sea Turtle

You would be forgiven for not being able to tell what the Leatherback Sea Turtle was at first glance. The largest turtle in the world by far, it lacks a shell made of bone and instead has a softer one made out of skin and flesh. [OCEAN]

Hydrothermal Vent Mussel

This species is closely related to the Seep Mussel, although it prefers warmer water rather than cold. It is associated with hydrothermal vents and subsists on the nutrients produced when chemosymbiotic bacteria come into contact with mineral-rich water. [ABYSS]

Sixline Wrasse

The Sixline Wrasse is usually shy and reclusive, but recently it has been observed acting as a cleaner fish and removing parasites from larger fish. When it sleeps at night, it creates a cocoon of mucus around itself which helps hide its smell from potential nocturnal predators. [OCEAN]

Coral Beauty Angelfish

This Indo-Pacific species is perhaps one of the easiest angelfish to keep in an aquarium. Once established in a tank, a Coral Beauty Angelfish can live quite a long time as well as keeping algae under control. [OCEAN]

Kemps RidIey Sea Turtle

The rarest sea turtle in the world, the Kemps RidIey Sea Turtle is found only in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Many juveniles spend their early years among floating seaweed. [OCEAN]

Alicella Amphipod

The Alicella Amphipod is a large species of crustacean that scavenges on the seafloor, feeding on both plant and animal matter. They are unique for being divided into a 13 segmented body. [ABYSS]

Fire Goby

A quite popular fish among aquarists, Fire Gobies are charismatic and easy to care for and often can be found in groups. [OCEAN]

Red-Eye Wrasse

A stunning species, also called the Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse, usually found inhabiting the outer slopes of reefs is typically seen near islands in the Indo-Pacific. [OCEAN]

Clouseau

A condition called erythrism causes affected animals to have unusual amounts of red pigmentation in their skin. In the case of this particular reef manta ray, Clouseau, it appears to have created a pinkish hue that is very rarely seen in normally black and white animals. [OCEAN]

Longsnout Seahorse

This somewhat odd-looking fish can be found hiding among the seagrass. Longsnout Seahorses are known from the Tropical West Atlantic in many areas. [OCEAN]

Giant Isopod

The Giant Isopod is the largest member of the isopod family and is known for reaching fame through video game titles as well as memes. Believe it or not, it turns out they are related to pillbugs as they both are actually crustaceans. Giant Isopods are scavengers on the seafloor and feed on the remains of dead creatures that float down to the depths from the surface. They can be found near whale falls alongside other deep sea scavengers. [ABYSS]

Broadgilled Hagfish

The Broadgilled Hagfish is native to deeper waters off of New Zealand. It is a close relative of the Pacific Hagfish, although it is larger and darker in color. [ABYSS]

Dusky Shark

Notable for their dark and subdued coloration, Dusky Sharks can reach over 4 meters in length and eat just about anything they can. Interestingly, this species of shark is notably slow to reach adulthood, not maturing until 20 years. [OCEAN]

Yellow-bellied Sea Snake

The Yellow-bellied Sea Snake is found all over the Indo-Pacific region and migrates with currents through the open ocean, giving it one of the widest ranges of any snake. Not what you would typically expect from a snake. [OCEAN]

Sea Pig

The Sea Pig is actually a bizarre species of abyssal sea cucumber. These animals march along the seafloor in groups that can number in the hundreds, searching for decaying organic matter. Although they are named after pigs, they are probably not edible to humans, being poisonous and mostly made out of gelatinous slime. [ABYSS]

Giant Squid

The Giant Squid was thought to be the largest species of squid until the discovery of the Colossal Squid. It is known to hunt other deep sea fish and squids. However, it is not safe from Cachalot Whales who dive deep to hunt them. [ABYSS]

Mediterranean Moray Eel

The Mediterranean Moray is coated with a layer of somewhat toxic slime, making contact with it potentially dangerous to humans, especially if it feels provoked and bites. However, given enough space, this solitary creature is certain to leave you alone just as you do to it. [OCEAN]

Greater Amberjack

Curiously, this species is not actually the largest amberjack in the world, since the Yellowtail Amberjack is actually larger. The Greater Amberjack received its name for being larger than other amberjacks known at the time, as it can be found in European waters, which led to it getting described to science before the existence of the Yellowtail was known. [OCEAN]

Hadal Snailfish

This small, ghostly-looking creature is one of the deepest-dwelling fish species on Earth. The Hadal Snailfish has been reported from areas 7.7 kilometers below the surface, and the reason behind this mysterious fish’s choice of habitat is mostly unclear. Only a few other types of fish can surpass the depths inhabited by this species, and accurately measuring how far down any given species may occur is rather difficult. [ABYSS]

Pelican Eel

The Pelican Eel gets its name from its ability to extend its mouth larger than its body and is capable of eating prey larger than it. Thankfully only fish and crustaceans are on the menu. [ABYSS]

Bicolor Blenny

The Bicolor Blenny is an instantly identifiable fish due to its unique color scheme. Found commonly hiding among rocks and coral, this fish is typically only aggressive towards similar species. [OCEAN]

Batton

This unique Giant Isopod has gained a purple pigment which can be rare amongst isopods and is named after its creator/3D modeler, Batton. [ABYSS]

Southern Orange-Lined Cardinalfish

This species is often confused with the closely related Goldenstriped Cardinalfish. Like many other cardinalfish, the Southern Orange-Lined Cardinalfish carries its eggs in its mouth until they hatch, keeping them safe. [OCEAN]

Tomato Clownfish

This is a relatively territorial clownfish with a striking red coloration. Tomato Clownfish are quite popular in the aquarium trade and have even been bred in captivity, a feat that is rather difficult with saltwater fish. [OCEAN]

Grimaldi's Flapjack Octopus

The Grimaldi’s Flapjack Octopus is typically found at a greater depth than its relatives. Interestingly, this particular species of cephalopod resembles a breakfast food in not just shape but also coloration and patterning. [ABYSS]

Dwarf Sawfish

Unlike most members of its group, the Dwarf Sawfish is highly protected throughout its range, meaning that it does not suffer as much from overfishing, leading to it not being critically endangered like its larger relatives. This is the smallest species of sawfish, and it is only found in Australian waters, although it was more widespread in the past. [OCEAN]

Yamana Octopus

Not very much is known about the Yamana Octopus, although it is known to be a close relative of the Warty Octopus and the North Pacific Deep Sea Octopus, being placed in the same genus as them. This cephalopod favors water near hydrothermal vents and was not described until the year 2000. [ABYSS]

Cookie-Cutter Shark

This small shark can be found in warm waters around the world and dives quite deep in the sea. It has a unique feeding habit of attaching to a large prey animal and spinning around to gouge out a circular chunk of flesh which it then eats. Cookie-Cutter Sharks have been known to mistakenly damage the rubber parts of submersibles, causing potential problems for any humans inside. [ABYSS]

Humpback Anglerfish

Although most famous from tropical regions, the Humpback Anglerfish has been reported inside the stomach of a larger fish in Antarctic waters as well. Their stomachs can be distended to an extent where specimens have been recorded to have fish much larger than them inside their own digestive tracts. Anglerfish are known for using their bioluminescent lures on the tops of their heads to lure prey into their mouths filled with sharp teeth. Female ones are significantly larger than the males who are extremely tiny. [ABYSS]

Cubera Snapper

This large snapper is native to the tropical West Atlantic. Cubera Snappers are often caught as a game fish, but eaten less often as their meat is thought to cause ciguatera poisoning more frequently than that of other snappers. [OCEAN]

Pelagic Porcupinefish

Little is known about the Pelagic Porcupinefish, other than that it favors open waters, lives in groups, and has the bluish hue you would expect of quicker, more streamlined species. [OCEAN]

Lion's Mane Jellyfish

The Lion’s Mane Jellyfish is one of the largest jellyfish, with a bell that can be as wide as a person is tall and tentacles that can be over 30 meters (100 feet) long. These extensive tentacles serve as a nearly invisible barrier that can trap unsuspecting fish that happen to be passing through the Arctic Ocean or other northern seas. [POLAR]

Common Remora

Common Remoras use their peculiar sucker-like heads to attach to larger animals such as sharks. This particular species is mainly found in the Northeast Atlantic. [OCEAN]

Saddled Butterflyfish

The Saddled Butterflyfish is a relatively unique-looking butterflyfish (and one of the largest as well). It sports an easily recognizable pattern and is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific. [OCEAN]

Brazilian Sharpnose Shark

The Brazilian Sharpnose Shark is native to the Western Atlantic, where it ranges from the southern Caribbean to Brazil. Overfishing and plastic pollution threaten this species of shark, which is an important predator of small fish and squid. [OCEAN]

Fowlers Surgeonfish

The Fowlers Surgeonfish is a rather poorly known but beautiful reef fish native to the Indo-Pacific. It appears to be less social and more reclusive than many of its relatives. [OCEAN]

Blue Reef Chromis

The Blue Reef Chromis is found in the Caribbean Sea. Unfortunately, the introduction of invasive lionfish (as well as other non-Caribbean species) poses a threat to native fish such as these. [OCEAN]

Indian Snapper

Found in the tropical Indo-Pacific, this is a smaller species of snapper. Not that much is known about the Indian Snapper, although it is eaten by humans. [OCEAN]

Old Woman Angelfish

The Old Woman Angelfish is native to the West Indian Ocean, favoring the reefs of southern Africa. While juveniles of this species have a striking blue pattern, the adults are often overlooked due to being relatively dull in coloration. [OCEAN]

Golden Trevally

Golden Trevallies are carnivorous fish that are quite common in the Indo-Pacific. Distinguished by their stripes and yellowish hue, these members of the jack family are frequently seen staying close to larger fish such as sharks and rays for protection. [OCEAN]

Giant Hagfish

The Giant Hagfish’s name is somewhat confusing as it is not actually the largest species of hagfish, although it is definitely large when compared to most of its relatives. Very little is known about this particular jawless fish. [ABYSS]

Deep-Sea Lizardfish

Deep-Sea Lizardfish live at great depths in complete darkness, and these somewhat terrifying fish come upon food so rarely that they have evolved enormous livers to sustain themselves. When they do find something edible, which could be nearly anything including their own kind, they quickly lunge forward and consume it whole. [ABYSS]

Common Moon Jelly

The Common Moon Jelly, also known simply as the Moon Jelly, is perhaps the embodiment of being a jellyfish. It has no brain, no bones, and no gills, so this simple invertebrate absorbs water through its thin skin. This species of jellyfish is eaten by nearly anything that can, however it is so ridiculously abundant that no current threat seems to cause major problems for it. [OCEAN]

Royal Gramma

The Royal Gramma, found in the tropical West Atlantic, is the best-known member of its genus and a common pick for even beginner aquarists. They are quite peaceful and breed readily in captivity. [OCEAN]

Brunswig's Cusk Eel

The Brunswig’s Cusk-Eel is a rare deep-water fish with a simple yet interesting appearance. Cusk eels are not actually eels at all, although their relatively slender build is thought to have inspired that moniker. [ABYSS]

Barred Sandbass

Similarly to its close relative the Spotted Sandbass, the Barred Sandbass gets its name from its preference for sandy areas. This species feeds primarily on other fish, although it sometimes has been observed eating invertebrates. [OCEAN]

Eclipse Parrotfish

The Eclipse Parrotfish is a strikingly colored reef fish from the Indian Ocean. This species favors rocky substrates since that is where its preferred algae is likely to grow. [OCEAN]

Sunshine Chromis

Also known simply as the Sunshinefish, the Sunshine Chromis is native to the tropical West Atlantic and it is notable for its unique coloration. It occasionally appears in the aquarium trade, although nowhere near as often as its green cousin. [OCEAN]

Broad Skate

The Broad Skate can occasionally be found at a depth of over 3 kilometers. This makes it one of the deepest-dwelling ray species, although not much else is known about it. [ABYSS]

Spotted Lanternfish

Spotted Lanternfish are quite numerous due to the lack of humans fishing for them. When they go to the surface from the depths, they are hunted by dolphins, tuna, rays, seabirds, and whales. [ABYSS]

Black Slimehead

Native to deep, dark areas off of the western coast of Africa, this fish has a strangely iridescent coloration. Unlike some of its larger relatives, the Black Slimehead has not suffered much from overfishing. [ABYSS]

Phantom Bannerfish

The Phantom Bannerfish favors the tropical reefs of the Indo-Pacific, where it is seen in groups in coral-rich areas. It is sometimes collected for the aquarium trade, although it isn’t extremely popular. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab

Not a crustacean at all, horseshoe crabs are more closely related to arachnids such as spiders and ticks than they are to actual crabs. The Atlantic Horseshoe Crab is the only species of horseshoe crab not found in Asia, and it is considered medically important because of the unique properties of its blood. [OCEAN]

Clearnose Skate

Clearnose Skates are nocturnal hunters, scanning the seabed in search of crabs to crush up using their blunt teeth. These rays are known from the West Atlantic and can tolerate both warm and cold waters. [OCEAN]

Round Ribbontail Ray

This ray is found throughout the Indo-Pacific, where it frequents warm waters near coral reefs. Although it is not aggressive, mild caution is advised because when repeatedly bothered, the Round Ribbontail has a high chance of attacking with its potentially lethal venomous tail spine. However, attacks from this species are rare and the only reported fatality occurred when a diver attempted to ride one for some reason. [OCEAN]

Bluntnose SixgiII Shark

The Bluntnose SixgiII Shark is the largest living member of the order which includes the sixgiII sharks, the sevengiII sharks, and the frilled sharks. It can be found in deep areas throughout the world’s oceans, although it does not normally occur in the polar regions. Because of its wide range, this species is known to feed on a large variety of animals, such as fish (including smaller sharks), squid, crustaceans such as crabs, and even mammals like seals. [ABYSS]

Spot-Tail Grunt

Found over coral reefs and sandy areas in the Eastern Pacific, this is a common but poorly studied member of the grunt family. Spot-Tail Grunts are usually seen in groups and are sometimes caught and eaten by humans. [OCEAN]

Blacktail Snailfish

The Blacktail Snailfish is one of the largest members of its genus, and it is named for its tail coloration. However, many of its relatives have similar patterning, leading to understandable confusion. [ABYSS]

Smooth Hammerhead Shark

Preferring colder waters than its relatives, the Smooth Hammerhead is the second largest species in its genus. These sharks feed on rays and smaller sharks, as well as forming large schools to migrate. [OCEAN]

Picasso Triggerfish

Known by several other names, the Picasso Triggerfish is a pufferfish relative found in the tropical Indo-Pacific. It feeds primarily on invertebrates. [OCEAN]

Northern Red Snapper

Although many species are known as ‘red snapper’, this fish is the one to most consistently bear that title. Northern Red Snappers are frequently found near reefs and are sought after due to their great taste when caught and cooked. [OCEAN]

Bicolor Dottyback

This fish is commonly mistaken for a Royal Gramma, but is differently shaped, less purple in color, and lacks markings on its face. The Bicolor Dottyback makes a popular aquarium fish, though it is a bit territorial. [OCEAN]

Gulf Flounder

This relative of the Olive Flounder is native to sandy shallows in the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf Flounders are frequently caught and eaten by humans. [OCEAN]

Sharptooth Houndshark

The Sharptooth Houndshark is found throughout southern Africa. Despite this species’ intimidating name, this Leopard Shark relative feeds mainly on crustaceans and is harmless to humans. [OCEAN]

Pacific Hagfish

One of the more well-known members of the hagfish group, the Pacific Hagfish specializes in eating pieces of dead and dying animals. Although this might make it seem outwardly disgusting, hagfish play an important role in keeping the depths relatively clean and un-decomposing. [ABYSS]

Common Thresher Shark

The largest and best known member of the genus Alopias, the Common Thresher Shark can be found in temperate waters around the world. Its distinctive tail is thought to function as some sort of whip, allowing the shark to stun its prey with a tail slap, making them far easier to catch and eat as well as letting it attack from a greater distance, which is of course useful if the thresher is going after faster fish. [OCEAN]

Common Fangtooth

The Common Fangtooth is a deep sea species of fish known for their large impressive sharp teeth, making them have the largest teeth to body proportions of any fish in the ocean. As a result, these fish cannot close their mouths. [ABYSS]

Sixgill Stingray

The Sixgill Stingray is quite a distinct species, with an unusual shape that has caused it to be considered the only living member of its taxonomic superfamily. As its name suggests, it is the only ray with six pairs of gills rather than five. [ABYSS]

King Angelfish

The King Angelfish is an easily identifiable reef-dwelling fish native to the Eastern Pacific. Interestingly, individuals of this species have been observed acting as cleaner fish for hammerhead sharks, removing parasites in exchange for not getting eaten. [OCEAN]

Olive-Headed Sea Snake

This species' common name is a bit confusing as its whole body is olive in color, in comparison to the Olive Sea Snake's olive head. The Olive Headed Sea Snake is found in the Indian Ocean near Australia. [OCEAN]

Black Cusk Eel

This is a very poorly-known species that is a close relative of the Scaleline and Brunswig’s Cusk-Eels. While other fish are sometimes called “Black Cusk-Eel”, this particular one does not have any other common names due to how rare it is. [ABYSS]

Common Guitarfish

Although it may look like a shark, the Common Guitarfish is actually a ray. This species is native to the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, and it is endangered due to overfishing. [OCEAN]

Warty Frogfish

Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific, the Warty Frogfish is one of the most recognizable members of the frogfish family, and it is typically distinguished by its light-colored body and red markings. Frogfish are a type of anglerfish notable for their incredible camouflage and leg-like fins that allow them to stride across the seafloor. [OCEAN]

Spinycheek Lanternfish

The Spinycheek Lanternfish is a poorly-known deep-water fish. Like most of its relatives, it is bioluminescent, meaning it is capable of producing light. [ABYSS]

Onefin Electric Ray

The Onefin Electric Ray inhabits sandy areas off the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. This small ray is relatively common, being frequently caught as bycatch, although it is not very well studied. As its name suggests, this fish has organs inside its head that can produce electric shocks. [OCEAN]

Abyssal Spiderfish

With an eerie appearance and fins shaped like tendrils and stilts, the Abyssal Spiderfish is perfectly at home in the deep, dark reaches of trenches and caverns. This is one of the deepest-dwelling members of the spiderfish family, being reported from over 5 kilometers beneath the surface, at a depth where few fish can even survive. [ABYSS]

Atlantic Blue Crab

The Atlantic Blue Crab can be found in the West Atlantic and is of great commercial importance there. However, it has since been introduced elsewhere. [OCEAN]

Whitetip Reef Shark

Despite its name, the Whitetip Reef Shark is not actually that close of a relative to the Blacktip Reef Shark or Oceanic Whitetip Shark. These sharks are more calm and relaxed than either of the aforementioned two, often being seen resting under overhangs in groups. [OCEAN]

Ribbon Seal

This is a small species of true seal that is instantly identifiable due to its unique patterning. Ribbon Seals are native to the Arctic Ocean and the North Pacific, diving into the sea to hunt for fish such as cod and eelpout. Unlike other pinnipeds, the lungs of the Ribbon Seal do not have lobes and function as single compartments. The teeth of this species are generally smaller than those of many other seals, as their hunting strategy does not involve vigorously tearing their prey to pieces, since the species instead hunts with precise and fast strikes. [POLAR]

Southern African Frilled Shark

The Southern African Frilled Shark is, as its name suggests, native to waters off the coast of South Africa. This unusual shark is quite similar to its more common congener that is known simply as the Frilled Shark, although the Southern African species is smaller, rarer, and darker in color, not being described until 2009. [ABYSS]

Common Redmouth Whalefish

“Whalefish” seems like a bit of an ironic name for this species, given that it only reaches 11 centimeters in length, nowhere near the size of a whale. Rather than being size-related, the Common Redmouth Whalefish’s name comes from its large jaws that are thought to resemble the jaws of a whale. [ABYSS]

Indo-Pacific Horseshoe Crab

Indo-Pacific Horseshoe Crabs are not crabs at all, and they may actually be very strange arachnids, as recent research might suggest. This species of horseshoe crab is the only one known to swim at the surface of the water. [OCEAN]

Giant Tiger Prawn

The Giant Tiger Prawn is native all over the Indo-Pacific region, but is considered an invasive species in other waters. This crustacean is commonly farmed as well, and in huge numbers, due to the popular demand for fresh prawn to eat. [OCEAN]

Honeycomb Moray

The Honeycomb Moray, also known as the Laced Moray, is a large Indo-Pacific species of eel. These nocturnal predators can be quite aggressive, so please avoid interacting with them. However, some have formed friendships with divers over several years. [OCEAN]

Pink-Bearded Snailfish

While the Pink-Bearded Snailfish is rather obscure overall, it has apparently been kept in captivity. This fish inhabits moderately deep parts of the Northwestern Pacific. [ABYSS]

Bird Gomphosus

The Bird Gomphosus is named for its elongated snout, which resembles the beak of a bird. Males and females of this fish species look quite different and are easier to tell apart from each other than the related species known as the Green Birdmouth Gomphosus. [OCEAN]

Blue-Barred Parrotfish

Known by a variety of other names, the Blue-Barred Parrotfish is widespread and common in the Indo-Pacific region. These fish grow quickly and spread from reef to reef as young allowing them to rapidly spread across the sea, a tactic used by many reef fish. [OCEAN]

Blue-Girdled Angelfish

Also known as the Majestic Angelfish, the Blue-Girdled Angelfish is similar in shape and somewhat similar in coloration to its relative the Emperor Angelfish, although it is notably smaller. Inhabiting reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific, these fish feed mainly on sponges. [OCEAN]

Hyaleius Snailfish

Although 125 out of the 126 members of the genus Careproctus prefer cold waters, the Hyaleius Snailfish is the sole exception. This unusual fish is normally seen near hydrothermal vents. [ABYSS]

Rugose Swimming Crab

Native to the Western Atlantic, the Rugose Swimming Crab can be distinguished by its bright blue claws. It is a scavenger that feeds mainly on carrion. [OCEAN]

Commerson's Frogfish

The Commerson’s Frogfish is also known as the Giant Frogfish, which makes sense as it is one of the largest of that family. It is found throughout the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific and often seen near large sponges, where it lies in wait for potential prey. [OCEAN]

Cachalot Whale

The Cachalot Whale is the largest species of toothed whale, known for diving to the darkest depths to hunt its favourite food, the giant squid. [ABYSS]

Gulf Hagfish

The Gulf Hagfish is the only known fish that can survive the corrosive power of deep sea brine pools. As such, this species can be seen wriggling in and out of brine pools and cold seeps in the Gulf of Mexico. [ABYSS]

Orange-Spotted Spinefoot

Native to the Indian Ocean, the Orange-Spotted Spinefoot is larger than more well-known rabbitfish species like the Blotched Foxface. ‘Spinefoot’ is a rather strange way to describe this fish, as it has no feet whatsoever. [OCEAN]

Blob Sculpin

Although the genus Psychrolutes is most famous for containing one particularly mutilated fish corpse that most people think of as a typical ‘blobfish’, these fish actually look quite different from that in their natural habitat. The Blob Sculpin is not the exact same species as the famously photographed individual, and it is distinguished by its more bumpy face and larger size. [ABYSS]

Walrus

The Walrus is one of the most recognizable inhabitants of the world’s frigid northern seas. While these marine mammals are pinnipeds, they do not belong to the same family as either the true seals or the eared seals since they are so physically distinct from either group, with this species being separated from all other living animals by at least 15 million years of evolution. Walruses can be identified by their two long tusks and large size, as they are the third-largest pinniped species, and they are frequently seen diving down to the seabed to feed on clams, their preferred food source. [POLAR]

Pacific Sleeper Shark

Pacific Sleeper Sharks are native to the world’s deep northern seas, where they stealthily glide through the water in search of nearly any possible food item. These sharks can grow scarily large on occasion, with a specimen sighted near Tokyo Bay being measured at around 7 meters (23 feet) in length. [ABYSS]

Pacific White Skate

This ray is identifiable by its ghostly white coloration and its preference for deep, dark waters. Pacific White Skates are found throughout the Southeastern Pacific but are rarely seen. [ABYSS]

Mediterranean Slimehead

Also known as the Silver Roughy, the Mediterranean Slimehead is a close relative of the species more commonly known simply as the Slimehead. Despite its name, this fish is found not just in the Mediterranean, being reported from deep parts of the Gulf of Mexico, the North Atlantic near Iceland, and even the Red Sea. [ABYSS]

Peacock Grouper

Peacock Groupers are native to the Indo-Pacific and have an extremely wide distribution. These small groupers have been seen working together with octopuses and eels to hunt surgeonfish. [OCEAN]

California Sea Lion

California Sea Lions are fast, muscular hunters that are quite abundant from Alaska to Mexico. Their speed and intelligence allows them to be incredibly efficient hunters of squid and fish, including small sharks such as dogfish. Interestingly, they are known to follow dolphins and snag scraps of food during the cetaceans’ coordinated hunts. [OCEAN]

Mexican Hornshark

The Mexican Hornshark is a species of bullhead shark that can be found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It occurs as far north as Baja California, meaning that it may overlap in range with the species referred to simply as the Horn Shark, but the Mexican Hornshark is generally found further south and may range as far as Peru. This species is not as well-known as its northern cousin, although the two seem to be quite similar. [OCEAN]

Blackspot Damselfish

Like many other damselfish, the Blackspot Damselfish is a native of tropical reef areas. This species can be distinguished by its unique pattern, although identification of damselfish can be difficult. [OCEAN]

Krøyer's Deep-Sea Anglerfish

Named after the Danish scientist who first described it, the Krøyer's Deep-Sea Anglerfish is an unusually large anglerfish found in deep oceans all around the world except for the polar regions. Most anglerfish that inhabit great depths are quite small, however this species can reach over a meter in length. It is only the females that reach this size, as males of this species are smaller and act like parasites, similar to male footballfish. [ABYSS]

Flame Angelfish

This is one of the most iconic and widespread angelfish, and it is a frequent sight in saltwater fish tanks. Flame Angelfish are omnivores that seem to breed relatively easily in captivity. [OCEAN]

Pacific Footballfish

The Pacific Footballfish gained relative popularity when an individual of this species washed up on a beach in California. It is much smaller than its close relative the Atlantic Footballfish, and not much is known about it. [ABYSS]

Vent Octopus

As its name suggests, the Vent Octopus is a species of octopus that seems to only be found near hydrothermal vents. This cephalopod is native to the deep waters of the Pacific and primarily feeds on crustaceans. [ABYSS]

Slender Sharksucker

Like other members of its family, the Slender Sharksucker was once thought to slow down ships by attaching to them. This is not true, as whatever this fish attaches to is unlikely to experience negative effects from it. [OCEAN]

North Pacific Deep Sea Octopus

The North Pacific Deep Sea Octopus is notable for its long lifespan. It seems that individuals of this species guard their eggs and offspring for over 4 years, which is longer than most other octopuses even live in the first place. [ABYSS]

Pacific Sharpnose Shark

Pacific Sharpnose Sharks are highly active and migratory small sharks native to the eastern Pacific, where they inhabit areas from California to Peru. Like many sharpnose sharks, this is an enigmatic species about which little is known, although it is known that females of the species are larger than males. [OCEAN]

Yellowtail Clownfish

Unlike many clownfish, the Yellowtail Clownfish is not picky about the type of anemone that it lives with, being seen alongside all sorts of different anemones. Another thing that sets this relatively large clownfish apart is the striking amount of variation between individuals of the same species. [OCEAN]

Longnose Surgeonfish

The genus Zebrasoma is filled with iconic and charismatic reef fish, such as the Yellow Surgeonfish, Pacific Sailfin Surgeonfish, and Purple Surgeonfish. Unlike them, the Longnose Surgeonfish is not very well known and often forgotten due to its dull coloration and lack of patterning. [OCEAN]

White Mullet

This is a smaller and less popular relative of the Flathead Grey Mullet that is not as widespread. The White Mullet is often used as bait, although it is occasionally eaten by humans. [OCEAN]

Spotted Seal

The Spotted Seal closely resembles its relative the Harbor Seal, although as its name suggests this species can be distinguished by its darker and more pronounced spots. Spotted Seals can be found in the Arctic and far northern Pacific Ocean, where they are often seen on drifting ice floes. The scientific name for this species, Phoca largha, includes both the Greek word for seal and ‘largha’, a term used to describe the animal in some Siberian Tungusic languages spoken within its range. [POLAR]

Tripodfish

Belonging to a rare and unusual family of fish known as spiderfish, the Tripodfish displays a very strange method of balancing on the seafloor using three of its elongated, stilt-like fins. This stability allows the current to flow directly towards the fish without pushing it over, bringing tasty planktonic organisms and loose pieces of organic matter directly into its mouth. [ABYSS]

Seep Mussel

Seep Mussels favor colder parts of the deep sea and grow in abundance near brine pools. This bivalve is found in the Gulf of Mexico, a region that is notable for the geological formations that this species calls home. [ABYSS]

Spotfin Butterflyfish

This is perhaps the most numerous and dominant butterflyfish species in Caribbean reef environments, being seen pretty much everywhere in their native range. Despite how common Spotfin Butterflyfish are, they are very difficult to keep in captivity. [OCEAN]

Thornback Ray

Thornback Rays are found in many different parts of the Eastern Atlantic and are quite numerous throughout their range. However, this skate could become threatened by fishing activity in the future. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Cod

This species is considered notable mainly for how frequently eaten it is. The Atlantic Cod is a resilient fish that has become a dietary staple of many different parts of the North Atlantic. [OCEAN]

Pacific Barreleye

This unusual fish sports a transparent dome that encases its bright green, upward-facing eyes, and it is thought that the dome evolved as a way to protect these relatively sensitive eyes from the stings of jellyfish. Although it may seem as though the Pacific Barreleye can only look up, this fish can swivel its eyes into a forward-facing position in order to eat something in front of it. [ABYSS]

Goliath Hagfish

The Goliath Hagfish is the largest member of the genus Eptatretus, as well as the largest hagfish overall. Not very much is known about this species, although it is thought to feed on decomposing organic matter similarly to its relatives. [ABYSS]

Black SwaIIower

The Black SwaIIower has an unhingable jaw and an unusual stomach that allows it to eat fish twice its length and up to ten times its own weight. One of these fish was found dead due to gases building up and sending it up to the surface like a balloon before it could fully digest its meal (a snake mackerel four and half times the fish’s length). This is why this species is most recognizable when it has recently eaten, since its stomach extends like a balloon and gives this otherwise normal-looking fish a very strange appearance. [ABYSS]

Celebes Monkfish

Not to be confused with the fish known simply as the Monkfish, the Celebes Monkfish is a rather rotund goosefish known from deep parts of the Pacific, and it is known from only one captured specimen although other fish confirmed to belong to this species have been observed. It is closely related to the Shaefer’s Anglerfish but it is larger and lacks the intricate patterns possessed by that species. [ABYSS]

Elegant Firefish

These splendidly colorful fish of the goby family are known for only having one mate for their entire lifetime. Elegant Firefish typically live in burrows in the rocks and sand. [OCEAN]

Tawny Nurse Shark

The Tawny Nurse Shark can be distinguished from its relatives by its pointed fins and relatively reddish color. Interestingly, this species is one of the few fish specialized to hunt octopuses, although it will certainly eat other things as well. [OCEAN]

Shaefer’s Anglerfish

The Shaefer’s Anglerfish is an unusually shaped member of the goosefish family found in deep, dark parts of the Caribbean Sea. It can be distinguished from all of its relatives by its very peculiar patterning. [ABYSS]

Harp Seal

Unfortunately, Harp Seals are named for their somewhat harp-shaped fur patterns and not for their musical talent. These are cold-loving marine mammals seen in the Arctic and the northernmost parts of the Atlantic, and their scientific name, Pagophilus groenlandicus, translates to “ice admirer from Greenland”, since Greenland is one of the places where they may be seen. Harp Seals typically feed on a variety of sea creatures, with Arctic populations of the species generally hunting krill, capelin, cod, and flatfish. While Atlantic populations feed on kipper as well, this is not true for seals in the Arctic where kipper are not normally seen. [POLAR]

Ballan Wrasse

The Ballan Wrasse is a close relative of the Cuckoo Wrasse, although it is larger and less brilliantly colored. All fish of this species are born as females, although some individuals turn into males as they grow, a trait seen in many other species of wrasse. [OCEAN]

Scarlet Frogfish

Found in warm shallows in the Indo-Pacific, the Scarlet Frogfish gets its name from its primarily red coloration. In addition to looking like a sponge, this small species of fish, which is not poisonous or venomous, has been observed imitating the behaviors of venomous fish such as scorpionfish to discourage predators from attacking it. [OCEAN]

Smooth-Head Blobfish

The Smooth-Head Blobfish inhabits deep parts of the Tasman Sea. This fish is less dense than water and can move around by floating over the seabed, rather than using a swim bladder to stay buoyant. [ABYSS]

Blacktip Reef Shark

These medium-sized sharks are rather skittish and unlikely to attack divers. Blacktip Reef Sharks are quite numerous in the Indo-Pacific and establish territories that they can inhabit for multiple years. [OCEAN]

Green Moray

The Green Moray is one of the most iconic eels in the world and a common sight in public aquaria. This fish, interestingly enough, has two sets of jaws: one in its mouth and one further back in its throat that ensures snagged prey have very little chance of escape. [OCEAN]

Caribbean Sharpnose Shark

The Caribbean Sharpnose Shark is a small shark native to the Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean, as its name suggests. It was once considered to be the same species as the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, but it was found that the two have a different number of vertebrae, which, like the rest of sharks’ skeletal systems, are made of cartilage rather than bone. Differences in the number of bones can indicate evolutionary separation between species that are difficult to distinguish visually. [OCEAN]

Neon Dottyback

Also known as the Arabian Bluelined Dottyback or the Orange Dottyback, the Neon Dottyback is a very popular saltwater aquarium fish. It can be rather aggressive and it is best kept with other aggressive species that can tolerate its occasionally obnoxious behavior, such as Blue Devil Damselfish. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Halibut

One of the largest flatfish in the world, the Atlantic Halibut is native to the cold waters of the North Atlantic. These sizable fish have suffered greatly from overfishing, since they grow relatively slowly and take nearly a decade to reach adulthood. [OCEAN]

Llymssyba

This appears to be a nautilus with an unusual grayscale color scheme. This bizarre individual has gained a name that references Abyssmyll, a terrain developer and builder for the game. [ABYSS]

Blue Blubber Jelly

The Blue Blubber Jelly is one of the most common jellyfish in Australian waters and it mostly harmless to humans, although stings from it can be painful. This jellyfish species feeds mainly on plankton and can sometimes be seen in public aquariums. [OCEAN]

Bat Ray

Native to coastal parts of the eastern Pacific from Oregon to the Galapagos, the Bat Ray is a species of eagle ray named for its bat-like shape. These rays were once blamed for decreases in the population of commercially valuable oysters, however it was later revealed that predatory crabs were instead at fault. [OCEAN]

Bigeye Thresher Shark

The characteristically large eyes of the Bigeye Thresher Shark allow it to hunt more effectively at night, whereas it is less active during the day. This shark is thought to compete for food with Blue Sharks, and areas where one of the two species can be found are less likely to also harbour the other. [OCEAN]

Flapjack Octopus

The Flapjack Octopus, not to be confused with the Dumbo Octopus (which is less flattened with larger ears) is a small species of octopus found in deep waters primarily off the coast of California. Despite its adorable appearance, this is an active predator that pounces on its prey and strikes with its sharp beak. [ABYSS]

Saddleback Clownfish

Like its relatives, the Saddleback Clownfish fiercely defends its home anemone from potential threats. Unfortunately for the clownfish, this motivated and aggressive defense does almost nothing to stop larger intruders, but at least it tries. [OCEAN]

Threeband Damselfish

The Threeband Damselfish is quite unique when compared with other members of its genus, since its striped patterning makes it look like it belongs in another group. However, this charismatic fish is a true member of Chrysiptera, alongside familiar species like the Azure Damselfish, Goldtail Damselfish, and Starck’s Damselfish. [OCEAN]

Hasselt’s Bamboo Shark

The Hasselt’s Bamboo Shark is notable for its striking patterning. These small, peaceful sharks can be found in reefs near Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. [OCEAN]

Mediterranean Scallop

This species is very closely related to the King Scallop. The Mediterranean Scallop feeds by filtering planktonic organisms out of the water. [OCEAN]

Big Skate

These large skates are abundant in the cold Northeastern Pacific and are relatively resilient and adaptable. Unlike most skates, each Big Skate egg case typically contains multiple embryos, sometimes as many as seven. [OCEAN]

African Manatee

This large marine mammal is the only species of manatee found anywhere other than the Americas. African Manatees are rather typical for sirenians, and they seem to enjoy filling their 20-meter (66 foot) long intestines with plant matter and occasionally any animals they can catch. [OCEAN]

Pacific Nurse Shark

A smaller and lesser-known cousin of the Common Nurse Shark, this species is only found in the Pacific. Pacific Nurse Sharks, alongside the three other living species in the family Ginglymostomatidae, are thought to be related to Whale Sharks and Zebra Sharks. [OCEAN]

Gunther's Lanternfish

The Gunther’s Lanternfish is numerous throughout the Atlantic. These tiny fish give off a distinctive glow and move into shallower water to feed at night. [ABYSS]

Sandbar Shark

The Sandbar Shark has a rather distinctive appearance due to its large dorsal fin and short snout. Unlike some of its relatives, this shark is not particularly dangerous to humans and typically eats bottom-dwelling marine life like stingrays and crabs. [OCEAN]

Warty Octopus

The Warty Octopus is native to deep parts of the North Atlantic and it may be present in the Arctic as well, although not much research has been done on its distribution. Interestingly, the skin of this mollusk might become bumpier the deeper down it lives for some reason (although this is more well-known in its close relative, the North Pacific Deep Sea Octopus). [ABYSS]

Spotted Houndshark

This critically endangered shark is found in the Pacific off the west coast of South America. Thankfully, recent efforts have slowed the decline of the Spotted Houndshark population due to it not being as overfished anymore. [OCEAN]

Yellowtail Amberjack

Well-known and delicious, the Yellowtail Amberjack is the largest member of its genus. It can grow up to 3 meters in length and is considered a relatively sustainable food source (amberjack is frequently on the menu in sushi restaurants). [OCEAN]

Leopard Shark

Leopard Sharks are typically found patrolling Eastern Pacific kelp forests in search of small prey. Their recognizable coloration and non-aggressive demeanor mean that they are frequently seen in public aquaria. [OCEAN]

Kelp Bass

The Kelp Bass is an abundant species in kelp forests, which seem to be the only ecosystem in which it is commonly found. This fish is apparently quite delicious and it is commercially fished in Mexico because of that. [OCEAN]

Bowtie Damselfish

This is a relatively large damselfish with impressively blue fins. The Bowtie Damselfish is somewhat popular with collectors as a “rare” or unusual species. [OCEAN]

Threadfin Snailfish

This is a rather bizarre snailfish with an unusual appearance. Threadfin Snailfish inhabit very deep water and are currently known only from Oregon and Panama. [ABYSS]

Emperor Penguin

The Emperor Penguin is the largest species of penguin in the world and also one of the most iconic members of the family. These stately birds are native to the coasts of Antarctica and are known for making deep dives to hunt prey such as fish and squid, staying underwater for up to 20 minutes. Emperor Penguins only lay one egg each year, which is kept warm for two months in the winter by the father as the mother goes out to feed, which is a behavior not seen in any other type of penguin (in all other penguin species, parents take turns incubating their eggs). In order to survive the vicious Antarctic winter and prevent the eggs from freezing, large groups of male Emperor Penguins huddle together during this time. [POLAR]

Common Skate

The name of this skate is actually quite misleading, as the species was once numerous but is now critically endangered. Common Skates are the largest skates in the world and were heavily targeted by fisheries to the point where they have completely vanished from quite a bit of their former range. [OCEAN]

Roosterfish

Distinguished by and named after its peculiar fins, the Roosterfish is a carnivorous trevally relative, although it is the only member of its family. Unlike most fish, this species can use its swim bladder to aid in hearing. [OCEAN]

Bowmouth Guitarfish

The bowmouth guitarfish is a species of ray in the family Rhinidae. While mistaken for sharks due to their fins, these species are actually rays due to their gills being located underneath their bodies. They can be found in coastal areas, coral reefs, sandy muddy bottoms, and water columns. Their range includes the Indo-West Pacific, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, East Africa, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and Australia. They feed on bony fish like cephalopods, and crustaceans including crabs as well as shrimp. They are a critically endangered species as the result of trawling, blast fishing, coral bleaching, siltation, and being hunted for their fins. However, the species is being multiplied in programs by several aquariums in order to preserve them. [OCEAN]

Flathead Grey Mullet

The Flathead Grey Mullet is a cosmopolitan fish, being found all over the world in both freshwater and saltwater environments. This fish tends to school in flat sandy areas, and the extent of its geographic range is truly surprising. [OCEAN]

West Indian Ocean Coelacanth

The West Indian Ocean Coelacanth is considered a ‘living fossil’ because it closely resembles its prehistoric ancestors and was actually thought to be part of an extinct group for quite some time. [ABYSS]

Purple Striped Jelly

This decently large jellyfish is actually a species of sea nettle. The Purple-Striped Jelly is primarily native to the coast of California, and it is often eaten by Leatherback Turtles. Like some other types of jellyfish, small crabs are known to ride it around and eat parasites that could damage it, using it as transportation and a source of small prey items. [OCEAN]

Lemon Coral Goby

The Lemon Coral Goby is quite a small fish, rarely exceeding 6 centimeters in length. It is known for secreting toxic mucus and is one of the largest species of the genus Gobiodon, despite still being tiny. [OCEAN]

Longfin Mako Shark

Longfin Mako Sharks can be distinguished from their close relatives by their longer pectoral fins and darker color. This species is not as well known as the Shortfin, but it is thought to be slower and less of an active swimmer. [OCEAN]

Common Starfish

The Common Starfish is one of the most numerous starfish in the Northeastern Atlantic. This species crawls along rocks in search of invertebrates such as mussels to eat. It feeds by extending its stomach out of its mouth (located on its underside) to dissolve its prey. [OCEAN]

Bluefin Trevally

Bluefin Trevallies are surprisingly fast hunters that specialize in catching smaller fish. They are widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific and sought after by fishermen. [OCEAN]

Bicolor Angelfish

The Bicolor Angelfish is a common and well-known species from the Indo-Pacific. It is frequently seen in the aquarium trade although it can be a bit aggressive. These fish are opportunistic feeders that will eat crustaceans, worms, and coral, among other things. [OCEAN]

Australian Angelshark

The Australian Angelshark can only be found off the coast of Australia, like its name suggests. Unlike some members of its genus, this species is relatively numerous and its population is not under threat. [OCEAN]

Convict Surgeonfish

This social reef fish is relatively common in the tropical Indo-Pacific. It appears as though some Convict Surgeonfish have traveled through the Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. [OCEAN]

Herald's Angelfish

This small herbivorous fish is notably similar to the Lemonpeel Angelfish in terms of appearance. However, the Herald’s Angelfish is not present in the Indian Ocean, only living in the Pacific (and it is also rarer). [OCEAN]

Slimehead

This fish is also known as the Orange Roughy, a name which was made up for the sole reason of making the fish sound appetizing and tasty. Slimeheads grow and reproduce extremely slowly and can live for over 100 years (possibly even up to 250, if findings regarding certain specimens are accurate), making them a horrendously unsustainable food source. [ABYSS]

Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian Monk Seal is one of only two mammals that are endemic to Hawaii, with the other being a species of bat. Like their Mediterranean relatives, these seals are slender with short fur in comparison to species such as the Harbor Seal, which are bulkier with longer fur. While seals may look slow on land, they are incredibly fast and agile underwater. [OCEAN]

Shovelnose Guitarfish

This unusual ray is found mainly off the coast of California, and it is frequently caught and eaten by humans. The vision of a Shovelnose Guitarfish is unusually advanced in comparison to most sharks and rays, and this non-aggressive species has only attacked a human once. [OCEAN]

Peacock Mantis Shrimp

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is the most iconic and popular species of mantis shrimp, which are not actually shrimp. This crustacean may look harmless, but it can punch with enough force to break open the shells of its prey and occasionally shatter glass if kept in an aquarium. [OCEAN]

Silvertip Shark

The Silvertip Shark is one of the closest known relatives of the Grey Reef Shark, and that can be seen in their similar appearance. However, these aggressive apex predators of the reef are larger and bulkier than their grey counterparts. [OCEAN]

California Sheepshead Wrasse

A frequent sight in Eastern Pacific kelp forests, the California Sheepshead Wrasse feeds primarily on invertebrates like sea urchins. All members of this species are born female, but some can change their anatomy to become male as they grow. [OCEAN]

Burrunan Dolphin

The Burrunan Dolphin is one of three species of ‘bottlenose dolphin’. It has an identifiably different appearance from the others and is found only in a few locations in southern Australia. This is also the rarest bottlenose dolphin, with less than 180 alive. [OCEAN]

Mediterranean Spiderfish

A close relative of the Tripodfish, the Mediterranean Spiderfish can be distinguished from its larger cousin by its unusually long and filament-like pectoral fins, as well as its shorter ‘tripod’ that is nowhere near as obvious. The genus that this fish belongs to is Bathypterois, a name that references Pterois, a genus of lionfish, as their complex and spiny fins resemble those of spiderfish, although the two are not related whatsoever. [ABYSS]

Agassiz's Flapjack Octopus

The Agassiz’s Flapjack Octopus is found primarily in deep coastal parts of the Atlantic. Older and larger individuals of this species prefer deeper water than younger or smaller ones. [ABYSS]

Bicolor Foxface

Known mainly from the coral reefs of Fiji, the Bicolor Foxface can be distinguished from its relatives through its distinctive coloration. Interestingly, the scientific name of this species, Siganus uspi, references the University of the South Pacific (USP). [OCEAN]

Binocular Fish

The Binocular Fish is a member of the barreleye family. Unlike many of its relatives, this fish’s eyes typically point forwards, rather than upwards, although it still has the transparent dome, a feature that could potentially be lost with future adaptations, as it does not have as much of a function as it does in other barreleyes. [ABYSS]

Orangespot Surgeonfish

Also known by a variety of other names (almost all referring to its distinctive orange patterning), the Orangespot Surgeonfish is an inhabitant of the tropical Indo-Pacific. Interestingly, this fish has been observed schooling with completely different species like certain parrotfish. [OCEAN]

Murray's Abyssal Anglerfish

The Murray’s Abyssal Anglerfish is a close relative of the Humpback Anglerfish, although it is smaller and darker in color. It is also typically found in deeper water than the Humpback, although its adaptations and behaviors are quite similar. [ABYSS]

Cobia

This remora relative is found cruising through warm seas at high speeds in search of prey. The Cobia is often caught and eaten by humans, who find it delicious. [OCEAN]

MiIIer's Damselfish

Not much is known about the MiIIer's Damselfish, but it appears to be a rather typical member of its group. It seems that the juveniles have distinctive and unique patterning whereas the adults are rather dull in comparison. [OCEAN]

Schoolmaster Snapper

This fish is found in the tropical West Atlantic and is rarely seen alone, preferring to swim around in groups. Schoolmaster Snappers, like some of their relatives, are a popular form of seafood eaten by humans (they taste quite good!). [OCEAN]

Orchid Dottyback

The Orchid Dottyback is one of the least aggressive dottybacks and therefore one of the least problematic aquarium fish in the group. This species is naturally found only in the Red Sea, although it has been bred in captivity quite often. [OCEAN]

Zebra Dartfish

Also known as the Zebra Barred Dartfish or Chinese Zebra Goby, this reef-dwelling fish is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific. The Zebra Dartfish is a member of the dartfish family, alongside other species such as firefish, and also technically a type of goby. [OCEAN]

Zhui Anglerfish

Native to the East China Sea and the South China Sea, the Zhui Anglerfish is an enigmatic fish thought only to inhabit deep water. It is the largest member of the genus Sladenia (which also includes the Shaefer’s Anglerfish and the Celebes Monkfish) and was not described until the year 2012. [ABYSS]

Pacific Sea Nettle

Like other jellyfish species, Pacific Sea Nettle grow as polyps attached to solid surfaces, although they detach from them and become free-swimming as they develop. Rising sea temperatures allow jellyfish to reproduce and spread more quickly, meaning that sea nettle populations can grow out of control even in regions they are native to. [OCEAN]

Cuckoo Wrasse

Despite living in a temperate environment in the North Atlantic, the Cuckoo Wrasse is quite colorful. This makes it decently popular with British anglers, who are given the opportunity to catch a fish that looks like it belongs in some tropical sea somewhere without actually needing to go very far. [OCEAN]

Green Sawfish

Also known as the Longcomb Sawfish or Narrowsnout Sawfish, this is the largest species of sawfish, able to reach over 6 meters in length. However, the spiky rostrum of the Green Sawfish and its relatives means that they are likely to get easily tangled in fishing nets, leading to a lot of accidental catches that negatively impact the population. This species prefers colder water than its relatives. [OCEAN]

Tiger Shark

The Tiger Shark is a large and powerful shark named for its striped patterning. This species has a very large appetite, and it is quite famous for eating nearly anything it can (both from scavenging and from active hunting), including bony fish, horses, crustaceans, seabirds, snakes, dolphins, cephalopods, jellyfish, dugongs, seals, turtles, sea lions, goats, rays, other sharks, cats, injured or sick whales, sheep, dogs, rats, large bats, porcupines, chickens, oranges (for some reason) and a variety of less edible objects such as license plates, baseballs, oil cans, tires, cameras, shoes, bottles, plastic dolls, hats, empty bags, fur coats, and pieces of armor. Unfortunately, increased pollution means that more sharks are eating inedible objects and becoming sick or dying as a result. While Tiger Sharks are known to be responsible for some fatal attacks on humans, they are not incredibly aggressive and mainly pose a threat due to the frequency of encounters. [OCEAN]

Multicolor Sea Star

Like some other sea stars, the Multicolor Sea Star can break its own arms off, letting them regrow into entire sea stars. This allows this invertebrate to reproduce in a very strange but efficient manner, with each severed arm eventually turning into an entire, functional animal. [OCEAN]

Ribbon Sawtail Fish

The Ribbon Sawtail Fish is a member of the same genus as the Black Dragonfish and the Pacific Blackdragon. Despite this, this rare, elongated deepwater hunter is not as dark in coloration. [ABYSS]

Pinktail Triggerfish

This fish typically is a dull green or gray color, like its relatives in the genus Melichthys. The detail that sets the Pinktail Triggerfish apart from them is, as its name suggests, its very vibrantly colored tail fin, which is desirable to some fishkeepers although the species is unfortunately not that well-known. [OCEAN]

Banded Houndshark

This close relative of the Leopard Shark inhabits the Northwestern Pacific and is somewhat smaller. Rather than going after fish, Banded Houndsharks prefer to eat all sorts of invertebrates off the seafloor. [OCEAN]

Pacific Cod

The Pacific Cod is typically found near the seafloor in deeper water. It is a close relative of the Atlantic Cod, although it is not caught or eaten as frequently. [OCEAN]

Weddell Seal

The Weddell Seal is a commonly seen and large seal native to Antarctic waters. These pinnipeds are quite social and communicate with a variety of sounds. In the winter, when blizzards are most prevalent, Weddell Seals spend most of their time underwater to avoid the storms. [POLAR]

Macaroni Penguin

The Macaroni Penguin is a species of penguin native to subantarctic areas as well as the northern parts of Antarctica. It was not named after food, as the word ‘macaroni’ also refers to an unusual fashion movement in England in the 18th century that involved, among other things, very tall and elaborate wigs which sailors were reminded of upon seeing the birds’ feathery crests. [POLAR]

Lesser Guitarfish

Also known as the Lesser Sandshark, a rather misleading name because this species is a ray rather than a shark, the Lesser Guitarfish is native to the waters around southern Africa. These peculiar rays are threatened by habitat loss and are considered vulnerable. [OCEAN]

Surge Damselfish

The Surge Damselfish inhabits shallow, turbulent areas of reefs. It appears to be rather territorial, however it is often seen in groups. [OCEAN]

Flag Rockfish

The Flag Rockfish is typically found off the coast of California. It sports striking orange and white bands that make it almost seem like a reef fish. [OCEAN]

Black Dragonfish

This dark, serpentine fish inhabits deep seas in the Southern Hemisphere. While its primary range is in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific, individual Black Dragonfish have been known to drift into the Southern Ocean. [ABYSS]

Chain Catshark

The Chain Catshark is unusual among sharks in that it is biofluorescent - not to be confused with bioluminescence, which involves producing light. Biofluorescent creatures absorb and re-emit light, rather than producing their own, and this absorption most frequently occurs in the presence of UV light. This species of shark inhabits relatively deep parts of the ocean floor in the Western Atlantic. [OCEAN]

Yellowtail Rockfish

The Yellowtail Rockfish is found along the west coast of North America, from California to Alaska. This species primarily feeds on smaller fish such as anchovies, hakes, and lanternfish. [OCEAN]

Summer Flounder

Summer Flounders are found primarily off of the eastern coast of the United States. These flatfish are ambush predators, as well as being a commercially important species. [OCEAN]

Rusty Dwarf Angelfish

This omnivorous reef fish is native to the Western Pacific and has been observed eating a variety of different things. The Rusty Dwarf Angelfish has notably unique patterning in comparison to its relatives, however it is not particularly well-known. [OCEAN]

Northern Sea Nettle

Due to confusion with other species of sea nettle, the Northern Sea Nettle is sometimes referred to as the Pacific Sea Nettle or the Japanese Sea Nettle, names which should both be used for other species. It is native to the Arctic Ocean, the far northern Pacific, and the Bering Sea, and it is a large species of sea nettle that feeds on copepods, fish, and other jellyfish. The population of this species has been rising recently, as is the case with many jellies, due to oceans becoming warmer and more acidic. [POLAR]

Norwegian Skate

Not very much is known about this deepwater ray, although its existence has been documented for quite some time. Unlike some of its relatives, the Norwegian Skate is not particularly threatened by fishing activity. [OCEAN]

Clouded Angelshark

This medium-sized angelshark is native to the Northwestern Pacific, where it is an ambush predator that darts up from the seafloor to grab nearby fish. Clouded Angelshark young develop inside eggs, but they are never actually laid and instead hatch upon leaving the mother’s body. This is different from live birth that is seen in some sharks, in which the young do not actually develop inside an egg at all. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Footballfish

Most deepwater anglerfish are very small, although the Atlantic Footballfish is an exception. This species can reach 2 feet (60 cm) in length, although that is only possible for females since males are much smaller. While it’s not a very big fish, that’s an impressive size for a group whose largest members are found in shallow waters and not down deep. Like many anglers, this species uses its unusual dorsal fin to lure in unsuspecting prey. [ABYSS]

Bocaccio Rockfish

This is a large species of rockfish that prefers to inhabit the rariphotic zone, away from the stress of the surface but also above the nightmarish abyss. Bocaccio Rockfish are native to the North Pacific and can live for up to 45 years, however they have become critically endangered due to overfishing. [OCEAN]

Bicolor Redmouth Whalefish

The Bicolor Redmouth Whalefish is a rarer and less widespread relative of the Common Redmouth Whalefish. This fish is slightly larger than its common cousin and is found only in deep parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean. [ABYSS]

Black-Blotched Porcupinefish

Like other porcupinefish, this species can inflate itself just like a balloon, which requires an unusual skeletal shape. Black-Blotched Porcupinefish are intelligent fish that feed mainly on invertebrates that they can catch and break apart with their beaks, like sea urchins. [OCEAN]

Asfur Angelfish

Also known as the Arabian Angelfish, this strikingly patterned fish is found throughout the West Indian Ocean. Like other angelfish, all Asfur Angelfish are born female but some can become male. This is a rather shy species that can be difficult to approach although it is very common. [OCEAN]

Pacific Purple Sea Urchin

The Pacific Purple Sea Urchin is a common and numerous animal in the kelp forests of the Northeastern Pacific. This species is normally hunted by sea otters, but with a decreasing otter population, the urchins multiply uncontrollably and can pose a serious threat to kelp forest ecosystems if left unchecked. [OCEAN]

Broadnose SevengiII Shark

Alongside the Sharpnose SevengiII Shark, the Broadnose SevengiII Shark sports the highest number of giII slits of any shark, as its name suggests. It seems to be the only member of the order of sharks that it belongs to that can survive reliably in captivity, being displayed at several aquariums, which may be due to the fact that it inhabits the shallowest waters of any shark in its order. [OCEAN]

Japanese Angelshark

Inhabiting colder waters in the Northwestern Pacific, the Japanese Angelshark is a medium-sized ambush predator that lies flat against the seafloor until a potential prey item draws near. Genetically, this species is somewhat distinct from other angelsharks found in Asia and it is thought to have diverged from them around 100 million years ago. [OCEAN]

Painted Frogfish

The Painted Frogfish, also known as the Spotted Frogfish, is a large species of frogfish that is typically quite brightly colored and adorned with small spots. Like other members of the frogfish family, it has a large mouth that can open and close incredibly quickly, catching unsuspecting fish that may be nearly as large as the frogfish itself. [OCEAN]

Beluga

These charismatic marine mammals are native primarily to the Arctic Ocean, although they can sometimes be seen in other places. Belugas are known for their chirping, bird-like sounds and pale coloration, as they are the only cetaceans to typically have a white, patternless appearance. This species is one of only two living members of the family Monodontidae, alongside the narwhal, another popular cetacean found in Arctic waters. Belugas are not to be confused with Beluga Sturgeons, which are large fish that do not live in the Arctic. They are also known as sea canaries as a result of their vocal abilities and have been known to enjoy interacting with humans through playing fetch as well as enjoying listening to humans playing music or singing for them. [POLAR]

Leopard Seal

The Leopard Seal is among the most famous pinnipeds due to its reputation as a killer. This is the second-largest of the seals found in the Antarctic (after the Southern Elephant Seal), and it is an opportunistic predator that generally feeds on whatever it can catch. It is known to hunt krill, cephalopods, fish, birds such as penguins, and even other seals. Leopard Seals are solitary and ice-loving mammals that are usually found only in Antarctic waters, where they can thrive due to the abundance of prey items such as fur seals, penguins, and Antarctic krill. While the species is aggressive, attacks on humans are not very common due to a general lack of people in the area where Leopard Seals live, and most of the seal attacks that have occurred are motivated by the seal feeling provoked and retaliating, as humans are not a preferred food. [POLAR]

Orangeback Angelfish

The Orangeback Angelfish is a small reef fish found along the coast of East Africa. It is quite similar to the Flameback Angelfish, although that species is not found in the same part of the world. [OCEAN]

Harbour Seal

Also known as the Common Seal, the Harbor Seal is perhaps the most iconic of the pinnipeds. These small seals inhabit northern seas around the world and can sometimes be seen in the Arctic, although they are most commonly seen along temperate coasts, where they are quite numerous. [OCEAN]

Lagoon Triggerfish

This reef-dwelling fish is frequently used for various types of research. Despite its name, the Lagoon Triggerfish is not only found in lagoons. [OCEAN]

Goblin Shark

The Goblin Shark gains its name from its bizarre shape and is capable of extending their jaws from their mouth to capture and eat their prey. This ability was documented under one odd situation where an individual mistakenly bit a diver on the arm when he bumped into its snout. [ABYSS]

Yellowfin Angelfish

This is a small, resilient angelfish native to the Indian Ocean. The Yellowfin Angelfish does well in captivity although many people don’t find its coloration appealing, reducing demand for it. [OCEAN]

California Flounder

Also known as the California Halibut (a rather misleading name since it is not a halibut), this species of fish is primarily found in the Northeastern Pacific. Like other flatfish, juvenile California Flounders look relatively normal, but their eyes completely rearrange so that they are both on the same side of the fish’s head as it grows. [OCEAN]

Northern Elephant Seal

The Northern Elephant Seal is the second-largest of the pinnipeds (only the Southern Elephant Seal is larger) and populations are found on Eastern Pacific shores from Mexico to California, although recently its range has begun expanding northward to Oregon and British Columbia. These seals can be very loud and aggressive during multiplying season, which is not a safe or redeeming quality for an animal that can weigh over three tons, so extreme caution is advised when near them. [OCEAN]

White-Spotted Hermit Crab

This large hermit crab is native to the Indo-Pacific, where it is frequently found near reefs. The White-Spotted Hermit Crab is closely related to the Blue-Spotted Hermit Crab, although it is larger and more common. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Angelshark

At first glance, the Atlantic Angelshark, also known as the Sand Devil, looks like a typical member of its genus. Interestingly, this shark has been found to perform notable seasonal migrations, preferring shallow inshore waters during summer but venturing into the depths and far out from shore during winter. [OCEAN]

Undulate Ray

This species of skate is found uncommonly throughout the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, though it is numerous in a few specific areas. Undulate Rays have unfortunately been negatively affected by fishing and they are now considered endangered. [OCEAN]

Asian Sheepshead Wrasse

This large wrasse is native to the northwestern Pacific Ocean and is most abundant near Japan. Interestingly, a diver has been documented to have maintained a 30-year friendship with an Asian Sheepshead Wrasse at an underwater shrine, suggesting these fish are intelligent and can live quite a while. [OCEAN]

California Two-Spot Octopus

Known from the waters of California and Baja California, this octopus is distinguished from many others by the ‘eyespots’ on its sides. The California Two-Spot Octopus is a relatively typical member of the group with the ability to change color and produce ink. Interestingly, the genome of this species was sequenced in 2015 and the species has been used in genetic research. [OCEAN]

Northern Fur Seal

Native to the Northern Pacific, the Northern Fur Seal is the only living member of its genus and one of only two species of fur seal found in the Northern Hemisphere. Like many pinniped species, male Northern Fur Seals are much larger than females. [OCEAN]

Japanese Amberjack

Frequently caught and served as sushi, the Japanese Amberjack is a medium-sized carangiform fish predictably found in waters near Japan. It is heavily farmed as well, making it more sustainable than fish species that are only caught from the wild. [OCEAN]

Brushtail Surgeonfish

Also known as the Scopas Surgeonfish, Brown Surgeonfish, or Two-Tone Surgeonfish, this species is a close relative of the well-known Yellow Surgeonfish and is found all over the Indo-Pacific. Brushtail Surgeonfish are quite popular among fishkeepers, since they are resilient and rarely cause problems with other tank inhabitants, although they are often overlooked due to their subdued coloration. [OCEAN]

Crabeater Seal

Unlike many seals that are generalist feeders, the Crabeater Seal is an extremely specialized predator of a specific and numerous type of crustacean: you guessed it, krill! Ironically, this species has never been recorded eating a crab, and krill makes up around 90 percent of its diet. These are the world’s most numerous seals, with an estimated population of between 7 million and 75 million individuals, and their population is thought to have increased in the twentieth century due to the unfortunate removal of many blue and minke whales from its native range (species which compete with it for the same food source), although the cetaceans are starting to return as whaling becomes less and less common, and this is not thought to place the seals in any serious danger as krill are extremely abundant, even with whales present. Unlike some pinniped species, male Crabeater Seals are not very different from females, with the latter being only slightly larger. [POLAR]

Southern Elephant Seal

The Southern Elephant Seal is a larger relative of the Northern Elephant Seal, and it prefers colder waters than its northern counterpart. It is the largest of the pinnipeds and the largest non-cetacean marine mammal, reaching weights of up to 4 tonnes (over 8,800 pounds), and its range extends from southernmost Argentina to Antarctica, with most populations being found between the two in terms of latitude and climate. Of all air-breathing animals aside from the cetaceans, the Southern Elephant Seal is capable of diving to the greatest depths, with one individual being recorded 2,388 meters (7,835 feet) below the surface. [POLAR]

Dugong

The Dugong is an unusual relative of manatees that is the only living member of its family (while others once existed, they are now extinct). These mammals are native to the Indo-Pacific and are the only sirenians in those two oceans, as manatees are found only in freshwater areas and the Atlantic. They can be distinguished from manatees by their dolphin-like tail. [OCEAN]

Arctic Skate

Arctic Skates are widespread and quite common in the Arctic. The species’ range appears to be greater than previously thought, so they may actually inhabit the world’s other oceans, and it is theorized that they may live as far south as Australia and New Zealand. [POLAR]

Smalldisk Snailfish

The Smalldisk Snailfish is one of the smallest members of its genus. Not much is known about it, other than that it is native to Canadian waters as well as the Bering Sea. [ABYSS]

Dotted Butterflyfish

The Dotted Butterflyfish sports a striking yellow color, as well as an unusually blue face. Although uncommon, this species can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific. [OCEAN]

Pastel-Green Wrasse

This fish is also known as the Green Coris Wrasse, which is a complete misnomer as it belongs to the genus Halichoeres, rather than Coris. Pastel-Green Wrasses collected from rocky areas aren’t typically green, instead being a mottled grey, whereas wrasses from algae-rich areas are more likely to display the species’ signature coloration. [OCEAN]

Indian Mimic Surgeonfish

The Indian Mimic Surgeonfish seems to have an unusual name at first glance, as it does not seem to be mimicking anything. This name makes more sense when you consider the juvenile form of this fish, which is remarkably similar in appearance to the unrelated Blacktail Angelfish. [OCEAN]

Humpback Snapper

Native to the Indian Ocean, Humpback Snappers are frequently seen in public aquaria, since their unusual shape makes for a distinctive exhibit. Although they are sometimes caught as a game fish, their meat can cause ciguatera poisoning and is not popular to eat. [OCEAN]

Chambered Nautilus

This cephalopod’s shell contains many spaces that are built upon as the animal grows, resulting in a beautiful spiral shape with intricate patterns. The internal spaces are used for buoyancy, and it is those structures that give the Chambered Nautilus its name. [ABYSS]

Cape Fur Seal

As its name suggests, the Cape Fur Seal is found in southern African waters, although a subspecies that is instead native to Australia exists. Their range overlaps with that of the African Penguin, a bird which they sometimes hunt even though their primary food source is fish. An incident in which an adult male Cape Fur Seal was seen hunting young Blue Sharks was documented fairly recently, even though open-water sharks are usually a major predator of pinnipeds. [OCEAN]

Masked Bannerfish

The Masked Bannerfish is named for its unusual face patterning. This species feeds on tiny invertebrates and sometimes forms large groups. [OCEAN]

Velvet Whalefish

The Velvet Whalefish is definitely the most popular and well-known member of the order Cetomimiformes. This particular species is so unique that it is not just the only member of its genus, but also the only member of its family. [ABYSS]

South Pacific Yeti Crab

The South Pacific Yeti Crab is not actually a crab, although it is indeed a crustacean native to hydrothermal vents south of Easter Island. It feeds on bacteria that acquire nutrients through the mineral-rich water of the hydrothermal vents, a process known as chemosynthesis. [ABYSS]

Bigeye Trevally

Known by a variety of other names, these schooling fish can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific. Bigeye Trevallies are quite social and can form groups of up to 1500 individuals. [OCEAN]

Fourbar Porcupinefish

The only known member of the genus Lophodiodon, the Fourbar Porcupinefish is not very well studied. It is thought to be a rather typical porcupinefish native to the Indo-Pacific. [OCEAN]

Pacific Longnose Parrotfish

The Pacific Longnose Parrotfish is a species of parrotfish found in the turbid lagoons more than outer reef areas of the Pacific Ocean at depths of at least 40 metres. They are usually found in small groups and they feed on algae. They were originally described in 1840 by French ichthyologist Achille Valenciennes. [OCEAN]

Cannonball Jellyfish

Also known as the Cabbagehead Jellyfish, Cannonball Jellyfish are found in not just the Atlantic Ocean but also the Pacific. They can release toxic mucus that deters many predators, although they are still eaten by sea turtles and humans. [OCEAN]

Telescopefish

The Telescopefish is notable for its forward-facing eyes and its unusually long tail. These eyes enable it to spot the bioluminescent patterns of potential prey items such as lanternfish or small dragonfish, although its prey does not need to be that small as it can swallow fish as large as itself. [ABYSS]

Witch Flounder

Also known as the Pole Flounder, Craig Fluke, Torbay Sole, Grey Sole, or simply “witch”, the Witch Flounder is found on the seabed in relatively deep water. This small flatfish is native to the North Atlantic, and it is caught mostly as a bycatch from fisheries searching for lobsters. [OCEAN]

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin is the smallest member of its genus. Like other bottlenose dolphins, this cetacean is social, intelligent, and feeds mostly on fish. [OCEAN]

Brick Soldierfish

The Brick Soldierfish is a species of fish often encountered shoaling in caves. It feeds on crustacean larvae and is thought to occasionally form very large schools, although not very much is known about it. [OCEAN]

African Angelshark

This shark is not typically seen near the surface, so it is not very well studied. African Angelsharks are smaller than most of their relatives and prefer to hunt in dimly lit waters. [OCEAN]

Indian Mackerel

The Indian Mackerel is a schooling fish found in the Indo-West Pacific region that is an important food fish within its range. This species prefers warm shallow waters and feeds mainly on plankton by opening its mouth and swimming forward, somewhat like a manta ray, albeit on a much smaller scale. [OCEAN]

Whitemouth Moray Eel

Also known as the Turkey Moray, this eel is active at both day and night, hunting small fish and crustaceans. Whitemouth Morays are rare in most areas that they can be found, although they are far more common in Hawaii for some reason. [OCEAN]

Beaked Redfish

Although most rockfish are found in shallow to moderately deep water, the Beaked Redfish is also known as the Deepwater Redfish due to its preference for deeper areas. This fish is native to the North Atlantic and is occasionally caught and eaten by humans. [ABYSS]

Adélie Penguin

The Adélie Penguin is one of the most common penguins in the Antarctic region, and it is smaller than most other penguin species seen within its range. These flightless birds need a thick coat of feathers in order to keep warm, and they feed primarily on fish, squid, and krill, although jellyfish are sometimes hunted as well. While they may be clumsy on land and unable to fly, these birds are skilled swimmers and jumpers, leaping out of the water so they can land on top of tall rocks and icebergs. [POLAR]

Common Dab

This unusually named flatfish is quite numerous in the Northeast Atlantic. Common Dabs are opportunistic feeders that will eat any sort of small animal or carcass that they can. [OCEAN]

African Penguin

As its name suggests, the African Penguin is native to the waters of southern Africa, and it is the only species of penguin found on the continent’s coasts, although it can also be found on nearby islands. These birds form large colonies on the shoreline and some of these colonies are quite near to human towns, such as the Boulders Beach colony in South Africa. African Penguins swim out to sea to forage for food and primarily eat small fish such as sardines. [OCEAN]

Narwhal

The Narwhal is an instantly recognizable animal due to the protruding horn-like structure on its face, which is actually a tusk formed by the growth of a large tooth in a spiraling manner. These marine mammals live in Arctic and far northern Atlantic waters, and they feed primarily on medium-sized coldwater fish such as cod and flatfish. Typically only male narwhals have tusks, however some females can grow tusks and a few rare individuals have not one but two! [POLAR]

Wrought Iron Butterflyfish

Unlike most butterflyfish, the Wrought Iron Butterflyfish prefers colder, non-tropical waters. This species forms large shoals and is observed frequently near Japan. [OCEAN]

American Lobster

The American Lobster is similar to its relative the European Lobster (also known as the Common Lobster), although it is larger and typically not as vibrantly colored. This is actually the heaviest species of crustacean in the world, since its large claws and bulky build outweigh the long-legged, slender Japanese Spider Crab. [OCEAN]

Striated Hermit Crab

The Striated Hermit Crab is a crustacean native to the Atlantic, the Indo-Pacific, and even the Mediterranean. This bright red arthropod hides in conch shells and needs to find new, larger shells as it grows. [OCEAN]

Whitespotted Bamboo Shark

Whitespotted Bamboo Sharks are small, bottom-dwelling sharks that are frequently seen in both home and public aquaria. An incident at the Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit occurred in which one of these sharks that had not been in contact with any other individuals of its species for 6 years mysteriously laid fertilized eggs that successfully hatched. This means that there is a possibility that this species of shark can reproduce without a mate, however there are other possible explanations for that event. [OCEAN]

Smallspine Spookfish

The smallspine spookfish is a species of a species of chimaera of the genus Harriotta that is found at depths greater than 1500 metres. They can be found off in the waters of the following regions: western Greenland, the Canary Islands, northeastern North America, Namibia, the southeastern Indian Ocean, Tasmania and southwestern New Zealand. This species' scientific name is named both in honor of the research ship named after the German zoologist E. Haeckel. Regardless of this species being least concern on the IUCN Red List, it is still threatened by habitat loss. [ABYSS]

Red-Spotted Box Crab

This is a rather large box crab with a distinctive spotted pattern, found in the Indo-Pacific region. If threatened, the Red-Spotted Box Crab can bury itself in the sand and stay motionless, looking like a rock. [OCEAN]

American Anglerfish

Also known as the All-Mouth, Bellowsfish, Devil-Fish, Headfish, Molligut, Satchel-Mouth, or Wide-Gape (a strange variety of names), the American Angler is a smaller relative of the Monkfish found off the east coast of North America. These fish are ambush predators that will eat anything they can fit in their mouth, including stingrays, squid, all sorts of bony fish, and somehow the occasional bird. [OCEAN]

New Zealand Geoduck

This species is also known as the Deepwater Clam (a name which makes no sense, as this bivalve prefers shallow waters) and it is only found in the waters of New Zealand. New Zealand geoducks are rather typical members of their genus, and are usually found burrowing in the sand. [OCEAN]

Galapagos Shark

This sizable pack-hunting shark species has a rather confusing name, since it can be found in far more areas than just the Galapagos Islands. However, the first reported Galapagos Shark was in fact found in that area, so it makes sense in that regard. [OCEAN]

Blacksmith Chromis

The Blacksmith Chromis is thought to be the largest chromis in the world, and it is a common sight in Northeast Pacific kelp forests alongside the Garibaldi Damselfish, another member of the damselfish family. While relatively small, this fish can be quite territorial (although not to the extent of the Garibaldi). [OCEAN]

California Headlightfish

This is a rather distinctive lanternfish that is unfortunately not very well-known. California Headlightfish move around at night to feed on various crustaceans. [ABYSS]

Prince Axel's Wolftrap Angler

This is a species of bottom-dwelling anglerfish of the family Thaumatichthyidae (wolftrap anglers) at depths of around 3,600 meters. It as well as other members of its' family are extremely unique for having their bioluminescent lures inside their mouths rather than above their heads like other commonly known anglerfish. They have large curved teeth that allow them to ensnare their prey. This angler was first discovered in the Galathea expedition of 1950–1952 and was named in tribute of Prince Axel of Denmark. [ABYSS]

Lochs Chromodoris

The Lochs Chromodoris is a sea slug that feeds on sponges from the genera of Cacospongia and Semitaspongia. It is often confused with other, similar-looking sea slugs. [OCEAN]

Cocco Lanternfish

Notable for its elongated appearance, the Cocco Lanternfish is a very small deep-water fish. It can be found across the Atlantic, as well as in the Mediterranean, although it is rarer there. [ABYSS]

Pacific Crevalle Jack

Pacific Crevalle Jacks are fast, active predators that feed primarily on smaller fish. They are popular among fishermen, although their meat is not considered good quality. [OCEAN]

Beroe Goosefish

Native to the western Atlantic, very little is known about this deepwater fish. The Beroe Goosefish seems to be associated with a type of coral that only grows in dark, cold waters, and its preferred habitat and elusive behavior makes studying it difficult. [ABYSS]

King Penguin

The King Penguin is a close relative of the Emperor Penguin and the second-largest living penguin species. It can be distinguished from its cousin by its orange patterning and slightly smaller stature, although the two are quite similar. King Penguins are primarily native to subantarctic areas, although they are known to venture into Antarctic waters, and they feed primarily on fish such as lanternfish, which are quite abundant within their range. [POLAR]

Elegant Wrasse

The Elegant Wrasse is an unusually patterned fish native to the southern Pacific Ocean. It sometimes appears in the aquarium trade, since its coloration makes it rather appealing. [OCEAN]

Blackbellied Anglerfish

The Blackbellied Angler is a species of goosefish native to the Mediterranean Sea as well as British waters. While it is sometimes confused with the Monkfish which inhabits some of the same areas, it is noticeably smaller. [OCEAN]

Philippine Sawshark

Also known as the Lana’s Sawshark, this unusual shark is only found in the Philippines. Philippine Sawsharks presumably feed mainly on small bottom-dwelling invertebrates and leave most other things alone. [OCEAN]

Cero Mackerel

Also known as the Painted Mackerel, Kingfish, Cero, or Cerite, the Cero Mackerel is native to the Western Atlantic. This species feeds primarily on smaller fish and is often confused with the King Mackerel and Atlantic Spanish Mackerel, which are found in the same region. [OCEAN]

Rudderfish

Also known as the blackfish, the rudderfish is a deep-sea fish found in all oceans excluding the polar regions. While juveniles of this species are frequently seen alone in shallower water, adults move deeper down and sometimes form small schools. This species is large for a deep-sea fish and is a member of the medusafish family, Centrolophidae, of which it was the first species described. [ABYSS]

Horn Shark

Not to be confused with the Mexican Hornshark which can be found further south, the Horn Shark inhabits the eastern Pacific, where it ranges from California to the Gulf of California. The majority of this species’ diet consists of invertebrates such as sea urchins, with some individuals sporting purple-stained teeth due to eating large numbers of Pacific Purple Sea Urchins. [OCEAN]

Blue Rockfish

The Blue Rockfish is, as its name suggests, a rockfish that appears bluish. This fish is frequently targeted by anglers in California, which is leading to possible overfishing, since rockfish tend to grow slowly, although it seems like it is not particularly overfished throughout other parts of its range. [OCEAN]

Spotted Carpet Shark

The Spotted Carpet Shark is the largest member of the Orectolobidae family and it is named for its distinctive spots, even though it is not the only carpet shark to sport such a pattern. Native to Australian waters, juveniles of this species can be seen in estuaries while adults prefer marine environments. [OCEAN]

Natal Anglerfish

Found in deep waters in the western Indian Ocean (with an oddly similar distribution to the West Indian Ocean Coelacanth, although the two are not connected in any way), the Natal Angler is an obscure, elusive member of the goosefish family. It is closely related to the Smooth Angler, the Beroe Goosefish, the West Pacific Goosefish, the Hairy Goosefish, and the Longspine African Angler, as all of them are members of the genus Lophiodes. [ABYSS]

Bluelashed Butterflyfish

Also known as the Archer Butterflyfish, Bennett’s Butterflyfish, or Eclipse Butterflyfish, the Bluelashed Butterflyfish is a relatively typical member of its genus, feeding mainly on coral. This fish is a common sight in various parts of the Indo-Pacific and favors coral-rich areas. [OCEAN]

Spotted Sandbass

The Spotted Sandbass is closely related to the more popular and well-known Kelp Bass. Unlike that species, it is not frequently found in kelp forests, instead preferring sheltered sandy areas. [OCEAN]

Shadowfin Soldierfish

Shadowfin Soldierfish are typically found hiding under ledges and in caves in the Indo-Pacific. Because of this choice of habitat and its nocturnal mannerisms, this large soldierfish has quite impressive eyes. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

The largest species of tuna in the world, the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna can reach weights of up to 680 kilos (1500 lbs). This enormous fish is now considered endangered due to humanity’s intense demand for large amounts of tuna sushi and sashimi. [OCEAN]

Palau Nautilus

The Palau Nautilus favors shallower waters than the Chambered Nautilus, but the two are often confused. Confusion is understandable as these two species look quite similar. [OCEAN]

Red Sea Urchin

Red Sea Urchins are named because of their red coloration, since they don’t live in the Red Sea. This species is found in the Northeastern Pacific alongside Pacific Purple Sea Urchins, and some individuals can reportedly live for over 200 years. [OCEAN]

Zebra Bullhead Shark

Named for its striking set of stripes, the Zebra Bullhead Shark is an Indo-Pacific species, ranging from Japan to Australia. While relatively common, little research has been conducted into this species so not very much is known about it specifically, although it is thought to share many characteristics with other bullhead sharks. [OCEAN]

Pacific Blackdragon

The Pacific Blackdragon is a close relative of the Black Dragonfish, although it is found throughout the Eastern Pacific but not in any other oceans. Like its cousin, this species has very dark scales - the skin of the Pacific Blackdragon can absorb 99.95 percent of light that hits it! [ABYSS]

Port Jackson Shark

The Port Jackson Shark is native to the cold waters around southern Australia. It is a nocturnal species of shark that feeds on fish and shelled invertebrates, which it can eat while breathing, an ability not shared by all sharks as some shark species need to open their mouths to move water over their gills. Port Jackson Sharks are known to be rather intelligent, with experiments revealing that they can count quantities, learn from watching other sharks, and associate specific sensory experiences like lights or sound with receiving food, although an unusual experiment to determine if these sharks can differentiate jazz from classical music did not produce any evidence of their musical taste. [OCEAN]

Bearded Seal

These Arctic pinnipeds are known for their long and curly whiskers, which give them a very distinctive appearance. Bearded Seals are heavily built with large amounts of blubber to keep them warm in the frigid waters and in the cold wind of the realm they call home. These seals feed primarily on fish such as Arctic cod and sculpins, although they also hunt clams, squid, anemones, sea cucumbers, and marine worms. Adult Bearded Seals have few predators, with the only major threats being orcas and polar bears, although the young fall victim to more attacks, including - rather bizarrely and terrifyingly - walruses, which seem to eat seal pups on occasion. [POLAR]

Kuhl’s Maskray

Also known as the Blue-Spotted Stingray (a rather confusing name since there are multiple other species of stingray with blue spots), the Kuhl’s Maskray is named for the dark blotch around its eyes. These rays are found in sandy areas throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, and their bright colors are thought to warn predators of their venomous barbs. [OCEAN]

Yellowfin Tuna

This large open-water fish can be distinguished by its bright colors and long, curved fins. The meat from Yellowfin Tuna is frequently marketed as ‘ahi’, and it is considered a suitable replacement for the heavily overfished Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, although this species also has suffered from overfishing. [OCEAN]

Pacific Dog Snapper

Also known as the Pacific Cubera Snapper due to the similarities it shares with the Cubera Snapper, this fish can be distinguished by its greater number of stripes, less red coloration, and slightly larger size. Pacific Dog Snappers are predators that frequently go after unsuspecting reef fish. [OCEAN]

Longnose Skate

The Longnose Skate is instantly recognizable due to its uniquely shaped snout. This relative of the Big Skate prefers to live in deeper water and can be found throughout the Northeastern Pacific. [OCEAN]

Ornate Carpet Shark

Native to Australia, the Ornate Carpet Shark is a bottom-dwelling nocturnal shark that feeds primarily on fish. Lying nearly motionless on the seafloor allows it to strike upwards and catch its unsuspecting prey, including eels, snappers, and luderick, among other fishes. [OCEAN]

Crocus Clam

The Crocus Clam is the smallest member of the giant clam family, and also one of the most colorful. It is also known as the Boring Clam, Crocea Clam, or Saffron-Colored Clam. [OCEAN]

Blue Whale

The Blue Whale is the largest living animal, and no evidence exists that any animal larger than it has ever lived on Earth. These enormous mammals prefer to feed on tiny invertebrates such as krill, and although they can be found in all of the world’s oceans except for the Arctic, they are often seen in Antarctic waters due to the abundance of krill. This species was almost hunted to extinction until hunting it was made illegal in the year 1966, and it is still endangered as its population will take a long time to recover and is susceptible to decreasing due to factors such as pollution. [POLAR]

Randall's Pistol Shrimp

The Randall's Pistol Shrimp is a relatively unique crustacean, although there are many other species of pistol shrimp in existence. It utilizes weaponized cavitation bubbles with an extremely loud snap to kill its prey when released, like some sort of shockwave. These loud snaps have been known to interfere with sonar when pistol shrimp form colonies. [OCEAN]

Kelp Snailfish

The Kelp Snailfish is an uncommonly seen and poorly known fish from the world’s far northern seas, including the Arctic. It is most frequently seen in the unusual environment of polar kelp forests, hence its name, and it feeds on crustaceans, especially amphipods which it seems to prefer. [POLAR]

Singular Bannerfish

One of the largest bannerfish (and one of the largest butterflyfish overall), the Singular Bannerfish was relatively unknown until a Japanese video game company let their arms enfold it and let it see the light of semi-popularity. This fish is named for its less social tendencies when compared with its relatives. [OCEAN]

Purple Surgeonfish

Purple is a relatively rare color among fish (and animals in general), which makes this particular species instantly stand out from the crowd. Purple Surgeonfish were once thought to only inhabit the Red Sea, although they have since been reported elsewhere. [OCEAN]

Yellowfin Surgeonfish

One of the largest members of the genus Acanthurus (although not the largest surgeonfish overall), the Yellowfin Surgeonfish displays quite a bit of variation in terms of color. However, it is always identifiable by its trademark yellow fins. [OCEAN]

Derasa Clam

Also known as the Smooth Giant Clam, the Derasa Clam is a close relative of the Giant Clam, although it is not as large. This bivalve is native to tropical parts of the Pacific Ocean, typically found near islands. [OCEAN]

Chinstrap Penguin

Also known as the Ringed Penguin, the Bearded Penguin, or the Stonecracker Penguin, these flightless birds can be found throughout the Southern Ocean and they may travel up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from shore each day to hunt for fish, squid, and crustaceans. Chinstrap Penguins are named for their distinctive patterning and are often considered to be the most aggressive species of penguin. [POLAR]

Emarginate Snailfish

Large by the standards of its genus, the Emarginate Snailfish probably received its name due to the black margins of its fins. This fish is mainly native to Japan, though it has also been reported from the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea. [ABYSS]

Colossal Squid

While the Colossal Squid does not reach the same lengths as the mostly unrelated Giant Squid (although the two species are decently similar in terms of appearance), it is thought to weigh more, making it the heaviest known invertebrate. These enormous squid are found all over the Southern Ocean, being known from the waters of New Zealand, South America, South Africa, and of course Antarctica. They feed primarily on smaller squid and toothfish, using their large eyes and advanced vision to detect anything that moves, including both prey and predators. While fully grown specimens are only hunted by enormous predators such as large sleeper sharks (which might think twice about attacking an exceptionally large Colossal Squid) and cachalot whales, younger squid fall prey to an array of predators such as beaked whales, pilot whales, toothfish, seals, and large seabirds. Despite their wide range, these mollusks are rarely seen and very enigmatic. [POLAR]

Singapore Parrotfish

The Singapore Parrotfish is a medium-sized reef fish with a parrot-like beak found in the Indo-Pacific. Like many other parrotfish, this species goes through several phases throughout its lifetime that look like completely different fish, since it changes color and pattern as it grows. [OCEAN]

Giant Trevally

The largest member of the genus Caranx, the Giant Trevally displays surprisingly innovative hunting strategies. These include hiding behind other predators and using them as a distraction for potential prey, as well as leaping out of the water to catch low-flying birds. [OCEAN]

Striped Dottyback

The Striped Dottyback is a small, black-and-white fish native to the Indian Ocean. For some reason, fishkeepers have crossbred it with the Orchid Dottyback to create a popular hybrid known as the ‘Indigo Dottyback’. [OCEAN]

Purplebelly Skate

This absolutely tiny ray seems to favor dark and sandy parts of the ocean, though it is very poorly known. However, its unusual and distinctive coloration coupled with its diminutive size can make it easily identifiable when compared with its relatives. [ABYSS]

Deep-Dwelling Moray Eel

Little is known about this species of eel, but it appears to be found in the rariphotic (low light) zone and potentially lower. It has been recorded from the waters around Easter Island and is quite small for a moray eel, but not enough specimens of the Deep Dwelling Moray have been found to accurately determine its usual size. [OCEAN]

Roughbar Frogfish

The Roughbar Frogfish is native to the Eastern Pacific from California to Peru. It is a large frogfish that is known to eat fish nearly its own size, since it can expand its mouth to fit very large prey. [OCEAN]

Spotnape Butterflyfish

The Spotnape Butterflyfish is a rather rare species that looks similar to the Lined Butterflyfish, although it is smaller and slightly differently patterned. This fish appears to be carnivorous, preferring to eat coral and sea anemones, which are both actually animals despite living a sessile lifestyle (does that mean the flesh of a sea anemone is meat?). [OCEAN]

Mottled Skate

Mottled Skates are found in the temperate Northwestern Pacific and are quite similar to the closely related Big Skate. This species is a rather opportunistic feeder but shows a preference for shrimp. [OCEAN]

Gentoo Penguin

The Gentoo Penguin is the third-largest penguin species, after the Emperor Penguin and the King Penguin. While this species is related to the Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins, it can be distinguished by its peculiar head patterning that almost resembles a hat or a pair of earmuffs. Its scientific name, Pygoscelis papua, is inaccurate as the naturalist who described it thought that the species lived in Papua New Guinea, a place where no penguins are actually found. [POLAR]

Floral Banded Carpet Shark

The Floral Banded Carpet Shark is one of three carpet shark species which were described in 2008, making it one of the most recently discovered members of the family - the only carpet shark species described later than that was the Indonesian Carpet Shark in 2010. It is a small, bottom-dwelling shark native to Australian waters that can be distinguished from other carpet sharks by its unusual ring-like patterning. [OCEAN]

Sailfin Roughshark

The Sailfin Roughshark can be distinguished from other roughsharks by its unusually shaped dorsal fins. Because they are slow, inefficient swimmers, these sharks and their relatives have large livers that they use to maintain buoyancy as they scour the seabed in search of bottom-dwelling organisms such as fish and invertebrates to feed on. [ABYSS]

Titan Triggerfish

Although usually peaceful, Titan Triggerfish can become quite aggressive during spawning season. This normally solitary species typically uses its beak-like teeth to crack open the shells of sea urchins, although it is not opposed to using its strong bite to attack intruders. [OCEAN]

Crested Bullhead Shark

Found off the coast of eastern Australia, Crested Bullhead Sharks are notable for having prominent ridges above their eyes. These sharks patrol the seafloor in rocky and vegetated areas at night to find sea urchins and other invertebrates to feed on. In parts of this fish’s range, it occurs alongside the related Port Jackson Shark, a larger species whose eggs it is known to eat. Unlike the Port Jackson Shark, Crested Bullhead Sharks do not form large groups. [OCEAN]

Giant Pacific Octopus

This is the largest octopus species in the world, with a potentially ridiculous arm span. Giant Pacific Octopuses seem to favor crustaceans such as crabs, although it seems as though small sharks are also a preferable food source for these immense mollusks. Unlike many octopuses that die within a year or two, this species can live up to 5 years. These animals are also quite intelligent and expressive, recognizing and reacting to individual humans when kept in captivity. [OCEAN]

Berndt's Moray Eel

Not a particularly well known species of eel, the Berndt's moray is only recognizable by its patterning. This fish can occasionally be found decently deep, in the rariphotic zone. [OCEAN]

Deep Blue Chromis

The Deep Blue Chromis is named not just because of its relatively deep rariphotic habitat but also its ‘deep blue’ coloration. Currently this fish has only been reported from Palau, although its range could extend further. [OCEAN]

Nursehound

The Nursehound is a commonly seen species of catshark native to the Northeast Atlantic, where it favors relatively cold waters. While it is similar in appearance to the closely related Small-Spotted Catshark, this species is much larger and is known to feed on its smaller relatives, in addition to other fish and bottom-dwelling invertebrates. [OCEAN]

Zebra Moray Eel

Unlike most moray eels, the Zebra Moray uses its multiple sets of teeth to eat shelled prey such as crabs, rather than lunging at passing fish. [OCEAN]

Eight-Lined Wrasse

This close relative of the Sixline Wrasse can be distinguished by its redder coloration and differing number of stripes (as its name suggests). Eight-Lined Wrasses do appear in the aquarium trade, although they are larger and more aggressive than their more commonly seen cousins. [OCEAN]

Blackbar Soldierfish

This small red fish is widespread throughout the tropical Atlantic. Like many other soldierfish, the Blackbar Soldierfish feeds mainly on plankton and is mainly nocturnal. [OCEAN]

Striped Marlin

The Striped Marlin can be found swiftly cruising through open waters by day in search of food. Despite being a rather large fish, this species prefers to hunt small prey items such as sardines. [OCEAN]

Blacktail Angelfish

Also known as the Red-Striped Angelfish, Orangelined Angelfish, or Eibl’s Angelfish, the Blacktail Angelfish is relatively common in tropical reef areas of the Indo-Pacific. Due to the rather careless spawning methods of this species, hybrids between it and other types of angelfish are frequently reported. [OCEAN]

Galapagos Sea Lion

While it was once thought to be a warmth-loving subspecies of the California Sea Lion, genetic analysis has proved that the Galapagos Sea Lion is its own unique species. Like most pinnipeds, these marine mammals are social and intelligent hunters known for using tactics like herding schools of tuna and forcing them into shallow water or onto land. [OCEAN]

Teardrop Clam

Also known as the Noah’s Giant Clam, the Teardrop Clam is an Indo-Pacific species found near reefs. It really isn’t much of a giant, although it does belong to the same genus as the more famous Giant Clam. [OCEAN]

Pacific Starry Skate

This species of skate is known from the eastern Pacific Ocean and prefers colder waters. Like all skates, Pacific Starry Skates are actually a type of ray. [OCEAN]

Pacific White-Sided Dolphin

Also known as the Hookfin Porpoise, a rather strange name since this species is not a porpoise, the Pacific White-Sided Dolphin is a charismatic species of cetacean native to the cold North Pacific. While similar in appearance to the Dusky Dolphin, the two species differ with regards to genetics and behavior, suggesting that they are not different populations of the same species as some have proposed. These dolphins are highly active and highly social (the average group of Pacific White-Sided Dolphins includes around 90 individuals, and some groups may have more than 300), frequently being seen alongside other cetaceans and even approaching and following boats. [OCEAN]

Giant Guitarfish

The Giant Guitarfish is a rather large species of ray native to the Indo-Pacific. It is thought that unlike some cartilaginous fish, this ray can see and identify colors. [OCEAN]

Eastern Fiddler Ray

The Eastern Fiddler Ray is the smaller of the two species of fiddler ray, and it was the first one to be described. As its name suggests, this fish is only found off the coast of eastern Australia and is not seen in any other part of the country. It is a scavenger that is known to enter and be caught in traps intended for other types of fish. [OCEAN]

Monrovia Surgeonfish

Native to the tropical Eastern Atlantic, the Monrovia Surgeonfish is a rather typical member of its genus. Individuals of this species have been reported from unusual areas, and nobody is really sure why it keeps happening. [OCEAN]

Whitespotted Bullhead Shark

The Whitespotted Bullhead Shark is a poorly-known species of bullhead shark from the Indian Ocean. It is known to feed on crabs, and while it is thought to produce egg cases like other bullhead sharks, no eggs corresponding to this species have been recorded yet. [OCEAN]

Yellowbar Angelfish

Unlike its similar-looking cousin the Asfur Angelfish, the Yellowbar Angelfish is not particularly secretive and seems to generally be a curious and bold fish. This is a very large angelfish native to the northwestern Indian Ocean, although it seems to have established itself in the eastern Mediterranean after migrating through the Suez Canal. [OCEAN]

Roundel Skate

Although most skates live in cold seas, this small species enjoys the warm waters of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Strangely, over half of the Roundel Skate’s diet is composed of shrimp. [OCEAN]

Midnight Parrotfish

The Midnight Parrotfish is named for its dark blue coloration rather than its behavior as, like other parrotfish, it is active during the day and rests at night. A few interesting interactions between this species and others have been documented. First, it is usually solitary but sometimes forms groups and works together with its own kind to ‘raid’ damselfish nests and steal both the algae that the smaller (but highly aggressive and often numerous) fish guard as well as fish eggs, which are a nutritious supplement to the species’ primarily herbivorous diet. Second, these fish have been observed forming mixed-species schools with Atlantic Blue Surgeonfish, which are far more social. Due to the surgeonfish having sharp spikes on their sides, they offer protection for the parrotfish, and the parrotfish, which are around twice the size of the surgeonfish, provide support as the two species work together conducting their heists on damselfish nests. [OCEAN]

Tyler's Yeti Crab

The Tyler's Yeti Crab is a species of yeti crab native to hydrothermal vents near Antarctica, where it occurs in large numbers. This crustacean was given an additional colloquial name prior to its description due to its most unique feature: a dense coating of hair-like setae on its ventral surface, said to resemble the hairy chest of the actor David Hasselhoff. Despite that being its common name, its scientific name, Kiwa tyleri, does not reference the actor and instead honors Paul Tyler who first discovered the species. [POLAR]

Steller’s Sea Lion

Also known as the Steller Sea Lion or the Northern Sea Lion, the Steller’s Sea Lion is the fourth-largest species of pinniped in terms of weight (only smaller than the walrus and both species of elephant seals) and it is native to the far northern Pacific. Individuals of this species prefer ‘hauling out’ on isolated rocks and islands in order to avoid land-dwelling threats and cool themselves off in the breeze. [OCEAN]

Indagator Whalefish

While it is observed more frequently than its relative the Parin’s Whalefish, this species is typically overlooked as it is smaller and does not live in areas that are as ridiculously deep. The Indagator Whalefish is still an interesting fish in its own right with a relatively unusual and bizarre name that confuses nearly everyone. [ABYSS]

Parin's Whalefish

Whalefish are adapted to very deep water, and the Parin’s Whalefish is in fact no exception. This species is actually thought to be the deepest-dwelling member of the group, as it has been reported at depths of 5 kilometers below the surface. [ABYSS]

Amioides Cardinalfish

The Amioides Cardinalfish is an unusual and large member of the cardinalfish family. Strangely, this species is only found in the waters of the Philippines. [OCEAN]

Winter Flounder

Although its name might suggest some relation to the Summer Flounder, that is not really the case as the two belong to entirely different groups of flatfish. However, Winter Flounders do share their range with the aforementioned species, and both are considered good eating by humans. [OCEAN]

Black Trevally

Black Trevallies are found throughout most of the world’s tropical seas. The name of this fish is somewhat confusing, as its body is not that dark in color, meaning that its name most likely refers to its black fins. [OCEAN]

Brown Tiger Prawn

The Brown Tiger Prawn is a smaller relative of the Giant Tiger Prawn with, as its name suggests, more brownish coloration. This crustacean is only found in Australian waters and it grows more slowly than its larger cousin, making it less popular for farming. [OCEAN]

Grey Bamboo Shark

Most bamboo sharks can be recognized by their unique and identifiable patterning. However, the Grey Bamboo Shark lacks patterns and is instead a more drab color. [OCEAN]

Galapagos Penguin

The Galapagos Penguin is the only species of penguin to inhabit the Northern Hemisphere, although it is found just north of the equator, nesting on some of the islands in the Galapagos where it can be cooled by the cold Humboldt current, as in other tropical areas the water would be too warm. It is also the smallest penguin aside from the little penguins, standing at around 50 cm (20 in) tall on average. [OCEAN]

Tropical Sawshark

Only found off the coast of northeastern Australia, the Tropical Sawshark has not been very well studied. Despite being presumably rare, this shark is not under threat of extinction as it has a high rate of population growth and it is not severely affected by fishing. [OCEAN]

Hooded Seal

Hooded Seals are found in the Arctic and far northern Atlantic, where they forage for various sea creatures in relatively deep water. The males of this species are noticeably larger than the females and have an unusual bladder-like structure on their head, located behind the nose, which they inflate during displays of dominance. As if that was not enough, male Hooded Seals can inflate a bizarre structure from inside their nostrils, which has the outward appearance of a red balloon. These two features give males a rather ridiculous appearance when displaying aggression towards each other, something that happens frequently as these marine mammals can be rather belligerent and territorial. [POLAR]

Pacific Angelshark

This flat-bodied shark rests on the seafloor in the temperate Eastern Pacific. Like other angelsharks, the Pacific Angelshark is an ambush predator that can spring into action at a moment’s notice to catch and eat any unlucky fish that swims too close. [OCEAN]

McCullochs Clownfish

The McCullochs Clownfish is thought to be highly specialized and relatively consistent, not showing any of the location-based variation that is frequently seen with other clownfish species. This species is very closely related to the Barrier Reef Clownfish, although they may look different visually. [OCEAN]

Green Chromis

The Green Chromis is also sometimes known as the Blue-Green Chromis, although both of these names can be used to refer to other related fish. This is an extremely widespread, extremely numerous fish found throughout the Indo-Pacific, and it is one of the most popular saltwater aquarium fish. [OCEAN]

Dark Ghostshark

The Dark Ghostshark is a species of chimaera of the genus Hydrolagus that is found on the outer continental shelf and upper slopes off the coast of New Zealand in the South Pacific. They feed on crustaceans, shellfish, worms and small fish. They can be found at depths ranging from 25 to 950 metres. While they have "shark" in their name, they are actually chimaeras which are a related group of shark-like cartilaginous fish. [ABYSS]

Ocellate Spot Skate

The Ocellate Spot Skate is known by several other names, such as the Spiny Rasp Skate or the Swarthy Skate. This species of ray inhabits the Northwestern Pacific and feeds mainly on small crustaceans. [OCEAN]

Scalloped Bonnethead Shark

Native to warmer waters in the Eastern Pacific, the Scalloped Bonnethead is actually the world’s smallest species of hammerhead shark. There is not much else that can be said about it, since it is not very well known. [OCEAN]

Cheek-Barred Cardinalfish

Also known as the Seale’s Cardinalfish, the Cheek-Barred Cardinalfish is an uncommon species native to the Indo-Pacific. Like other cardinalfish, it is relatively social and feeds at night, preferring to rest during the day. [OCEAN]

North Atlantic Opah

This is the largest and most famous species of opah. Until 2018, it was thought that all opahs were the same species as the North Atlantic Opah except for the unusual Southern Opah, although that is changing due to recent evidence that suggests there are six species of opah instead of two. [OCEAN]

Speckled Butterflyfish

The Speckled Butterflyfish is a distinctively patterned reef fish that eats invertebrates and algae. Although juveniles of this species frequently shoal with other types of fish, adults tend to live only in pairs or small groups of their own kind. [OCEAN]

Threestripe Rockfish

The Threestripe Rockfish is found in the Northwestern Pacific near Japan and Korea. It favors rocky, seaweed-covered areas similar to those inhabited by rockfish species in the Northeastern Pacific. [OCEAN]

Longnose Sawshark

You would be forgiven for not thinking this was a shark at first. The Longnose Sawshark closely resembles the group of rays known as sawfish, although the two are not actually related. This is the most well-known of the sawsharks and inhabits waters off the coast of southern Australia. [OCEAN]

Common Bat Star

The Common Bat Star, also known simply as the Bat Star, is a numerous and abundant sea star in the Northeastern Pacific. These invertebrates are omnivores that eat just about anything they can, including plants and animals living and dead. [OCEAN]

Threebar Porcupinefish

The Threebar Porcupinefish is only found off the east coast of Australia. Although porcupinefish are sometimes referred to as pufferfish, this name should actually be used to describe the related family of Tetraodontidae, which lack spikes. [OCEAN]

Bellybutton Nautilus

This cephalopod tends to conserve its energy during the day, rising to surface waters to feed at night. The Bellybutton Nautilus is the smallest species of nautilus. [OCEAN]

Tomato Snailfish

The Tomato Snailfish received its unusual name due to its bright red coloration. Unfortunately, it probably doesn’t taste very good. [ABYSS]

Blue Devil Damselfish

Also known as the Sapphire Devil or the Electric Blue Damselfish, the Blue Devil Damselfish is named for its coloration and its notably aggressive temperament. Despite its belligerence, it is small and robust making it a popular aquarium fish. [OCEAN]

Great Seahorse

The Great Seahorse’s name is a bit misleading, as it is not the largest seahorse, although it is definitely larger than most. This species can be found at unusual depths, being considered an inhabitant of the rariphotic zone. [OCEAN]

Reef Triggerfish

Also known as the Rectangular Triggerfish, Wedgetail Triggerfish, or Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, the Reef Triggerfish is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific. It is the state fish of Hawaii, an area where it is quite abundant. [OCEAN]

Cloudy Catshark

The Cloudy Catshark is a small species of bottom-dwelling shark native to the waters of Japan, Korea, and China, although its range may extend to the Philippines if reports are to be believed. Cloudy Catsharks feed primarily on mollusks and are hunted by larger sharks such as swellsharks that inhabit the same area. [OCEAN]

Blotcheye Soldierfish

The Blotcheye Soldierfish is a rather typical soldierfish native to the Indo-Pacific. This plankton-feeder is known to sometimes form groups with other species of fish, a common behavior of soldierfish and their relatives. [OCEAN]

Bonnethead Shark

The Bonnethead Shark is a rather unusual hammerhead, not just in terms of appearance and relatively small size. This cartilaginous fish has been observed eating seagrass, which is not something that sharks typically do. [OCEAN]

Lemonpeel Angelfish

Also known as the Yellow Angelfish, the Lemonpeel Angelfish is quite similar in appearance to the Herald’s Angelfish, although this species has small bits of blue near its eye and fins, a trait lacked by the Herald’s. These fish are native to the Indo-Pacific and frequently encountered in groups. [OCEAN]

Whitenose Surgeonfish

Also known as the Powder Brown Surgeonfish, Japan Surgeonfish, White-Faced Surgeonfish, and Goldrim Surgeonfish, the Whitenose Surgeonfish is a small surgeonfish that sometimes appears in the aquarium trade. This is a relatively common fish in Indo-Pacific reefs. [OCEAN]

Guadalupe Fur Seal

The Guadalupe Fur Seal is a species of eared seal found on and near islands off the coasts of Mexico and California. While it was once thought to be extinct, populations are recovering and stray individuals have been seen as far north as Oregon. [OCEAN]

Bigeye Tuna

The Bigeye Tuna is adapted to forage for food in deep, low-oxygen waters, where most of its relatives will not go. This fish can warm its own body, but it lacks an internal cooling system and therefore is not faring very well with an increasing global temperature. [OCEAN]

Queen Angelfish

The Queen Angelfish is an iconic and common species native to the western Atlantic. It is known to sometimes hybridize with related species and it also appears in the aquarium trade. [OCEAN]

Okinawa Chromis

The Okinawa Chromis is native to the rariphotic zone of the Northern Pacific. Not much is known about this fish, although it has been caught and successfully kept at public aquaria, mainly in Japan. [OCEAN]

Giant Sea Spider

Sea spiders, despite their name, have no relation to actual spiders, nor are they related to spider crabs, since sea spiders are neither crustaceans nor arachnids, belonging to a unique and entirely different class of animals. The Giant Sea Spider is the largest known species within this class, and it has been reported from all five of the world’s oceans, although it is never seen in shallow waters, instead preferring dark and barren stretches of rock and sand far beneath the surface. [ABYSS]

Red Sea Bannerfish

The Red Sea Bannerfish is not red, although it is found in the Red Sea. Like some other species from that region, this fish is starting to migrate through the Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean, being occasionally reported from Turkey. [OCEAN]

Pacific Halibut

A smaller cousin of the Atlantic Halibut, the Pacific Halibut is typically more sustainably caught than its congener. This fish, although it appears lethargic, can put on impressive bursts of speed to catch its prey. [OCEAN]

Smooth Anglerfish

The Smooth Angler is a relatively rare goosefish found in deep Indo-Pacific waters. It is one of the largest species in the genus Lophiodes (not to be confused with Lophius or Lophiomus) and also the first member of that genus to be described to science. Very little is known about it, although it seems to be an ambush predator with a preference for fish. [ABYSS]

Blue Moon Jelly

The Blue Moon Jelly is relatively rare and not much is known about it. Like other moon jellies, turtles are immune to its stings and it probably often ends up as a meal for them. [OCEAN]

Chinese Trumpetfish

Native to the Indo-Pacific, these strangely shaped hunters often swim vertically to blend in with seaweed. Like its close relatives, the Chinese Trumpetfish often hides next to larger animals to make its approach far less visible to potential prey. [OCEAN]

Southern Fiddler Ray

The Southern Fiddler Ray is the larger of the two species of fiddler ray, and it is found only in southern Australian waters. It is generally found in deeper water than its eastern cousin and is an opportunistic feeder, hunting crustaceans, mollusks, marine worms, and even small fish found on the seafloor. [OCEAN]

East Pacific Yeti Crab

The East Pacific Yeti Crab is a relative of the South Pacific Yeti Crab, except it is native to cold seeps near Costa Rica rather than hydrothermal vents. Its “hairy” arms are used to culture and farm chemosynthetic bacteria which the crustacean then scrapes off, and it has even been reported waving its arms around to give the bacteria better access to oxygen and nutrients from the water flowing past, an entirely unique behavior. [ABYSS]

Pyramid Butterflyfish

The Pyramid Butterflyfish can be distinguished by its unusual ‘triangle’ pattern. This species lives in large schools and feeds on plankton. [OCEAN]

Keyhole Angelfish

The Keyhole Angelfish is a reef-dwelling fish native to the Indo-Pacific that lives in small groups. Like other angelfish, if a group runs out of males, one of the females can suddenly become a male to fill the gap. [OCEAN]

Pacific Seahorse

This very large seahorse is, as its name suggests, native to the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, the Pacific Seahorse (alongside other seahorses) is vulnerable to overfishing because the dried corpse of this fish is considered a very popular and desirable souvenir for some inexplicable reason. [OCEAN]

Pointy-Nosed Blue Chimaera

The pointy-nosed blue chimaera; also known as the pointy-nosed blue ratfish, Ray Troll's chimaera or abyssal ghostshark; is a species of chimaera in the family of Hydrolagus. This species' scientific name was named in honor of the American artist, Ray Troll, who has drawn chimaeras as well as other marine life within his fantastic art pieces to raise awareness on them. They are found in the Western Pacific: New Caledonia and New Zealand at depths between 612 to 1707 metres on both continental and insular slopes. It has been known to be caught as bycatch by fishing trawlers. [ABYSS]

Fine-Lined Surgeonfish

This relative of the Ringtail Surgeonfish is native to Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines. Not much is known about it, although the Fine-Lined Surgeonfish is occasionally eaten by humans. [OCEAN]

Abe's Angelfish

The Abe’s Angelfish is a rare angelfish found in deep water (the rariphotic zone of the Western Pacific). These two factors cause it to fetch a high price in the aquarium trade, and it is also considered a rather beautiful fish to begin with. [OCEAN]

Sixgill Hagfish

The Sixgill Hagfish is found in some of the shallowest waters of any hagfish species, leading to occasional confusion when it appears near the shore. However, this fish is mostly found only off the coast of South Africa, and it’s quite rare as well, so this doesn’t happen often. [OCEAN]

Antarctic Fur Seal

In general, sea lions and fur seals are completely absent from the polar regions. The only exception to this rule is the Antarctic Fur Seal, which is typically seen north of Antarctica but is known to approach its coasts and sometimes be encountered there. These pinnipeds are excellent swimmers that primarily feed on krill and fish such as lanternfish and notothens. [POLAR]

Milk Shark

The Milk Shark sports an unusual name, which comes from a belief in India that eating this species can assist with the production of milk in humans. This species of shark can be found in the eastern Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific, where it favors warm waters and is quite abundant throughout its range. [OCEAN]

Green Sea Urchin

The Green Sea Urchin is native to the Northern Atlantic, where it feeds on algae. It is also edible, and archeological evidence seems to indicate humans have been eating this species for quite some time. [OCEAN]

Truncate Softshell Clam

Also known as the Blunt Gaper, this bivalve mollusk is a smaller relative of the Sand Gaper Clam. Truncate Softshell Clams are very common in the Arctic and serve as a major food source for walruses. [POLAR]

Greater Pipefish

One of the largest pipefish in the world, the Greater Pipefish is known from the British Isles and the Mediterranean. This species feeds on small crustaceans such as prawns and is quite common within its range. [OCEAN]

Bay Pipefish

This fish’s narrow shape and green coloration enable it to blend in with the seagrass and kelp of its North Pacific home. Like their relatives the seahorses, male Bay Pipefish tend to the female’s eggs by keeping them in a special pouch on their underside. [OCEAN]

Magnificent Foxface

The Magnificent Foxface can be distinguished from its relatives due to its complex patterning. Otherwise, this is a very typical rabbitfish with an appetite for algae that sometimes appears in the aquarium trade. [OCEAN]

Eastern Blue Achoerodus

The Eastern Blue Achoerodus is a species of fish in the Labridae family that are found in coastal rocky areas at depths of 40 metres off the coast of Southeastern Australia in the South Pacific. They feed on a wide range of invertebrates including molluscs, crabs, shrimps, echinoderm including sea urchins, and cunjevoi. Their population declined significantly due to excessive spearfishing which led to a complete ban on both spearfishing and commercial fishing for this species in 1972 by the New South Wales authorities. Their population has managed to stabilize and the species is now listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. [OCEAN]

Leopard Sea Cucumber

The Leopard Sea Cucumber is a species of sea cucumber of the genus Bohadschia that is named for its leopard like patterning. It is found on coral reefs and exposed, sandy areas of the seabed in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean at depths between 3 to 37 metres. It is omnivorous and sweeps tiny microscopic material to feed on including biofilm. It forms a commensal partnerships with the emperor shrimp which cleans it of ectoparasites and the star pearlfish which lives inside it for safety. [OCEAN]

Lined Seahorse

Also known as the Northern Seahorse, the Lined Seahorse has a surprisingly extensive range. It can be found as far south as Venezuela and as far north as Canada! [OCEAN]

Green Birdmouth Gomphosus

The Green Birdmouth Gomphosus is found only in the Indian Ocean and occurs further west than the Bird Gomphosus, a similar fish which is more common in the Pacific. Both species have notable dimorphism between males and females and use their long snouts to pick invertebrates off of the corals of their reef home. [OCEAN]

Lined Butterflyfish

The Lined Butterflyfish is one of the largest butterflyfish, matched only in size by the Saddled Butterflyfish and the Singular Bannerfish. Compared to their relatives, these fish are territorial and almost never seen shoaling. [OCEAN]

Greenland Shark

The Greenland Shark is one of the most infamous and bizarre of the fish species found in the Arctic. Also known as Gurry Sharks, Grey Sharks, or “eqalussuaq” (in Kalaallisut, a native language of Greenland), these enormous sleeper sharks can supposedly exceed seven meters in length and weigh over a ton. While they are one of the world’s slowest fish proportional to their body size, they can live for extraordinarily long: the oldest recorded Greenland Shark was estimated to be 392 years and is still alive! This lifespan comes with a downside though, as it may take up to 150 years for these sharks to reach adulthood. Greenland Sharks use their slowness to conserve energy and to stealthily approach prey animals, who might not even think the shark that is about to eat them is alive. They hunt primarily fish, but they are opportunistic feeders who ambush sleeping seals and scavenge on the remains of bears, moose, or reindeer that fall into the water. [POLAR]

Common Box Crab

The Common Box Crab is also known as the Red-Streaked Box Crab. Despite being called ‘Common’, not much is known about this crustacean, but it does seem to use its two claws for different things, like other box crabs. The right claw is apparently used for crushing the shells of its prey (typically shelled mollusks and hermit crabs), whereas the left claw is used for cutting off pieces to eat. [OCEAN]

Porbeagle Shark

Unusually among sharks, the Porbeagle is considered to be a warm-blooded animal, using its blood vessels to store heat generated by its muscles, keeping its body notably warmer than the surrounding water. It is native to the cold waters of the North Atlantic as well as parts of the Southern Hemisphere, though it avoids the world’s tropical regions. The Porbeagle is a member of the mackerel shark family alongside salmon sharks, mako sharks, and great whites, and similarly to these species it is a fast-swimming active predator that hunts open-water fish such as clupeids and mackerel, although it will also approach the seafloor to hunt for fish such as cod and flatfish. [OCEAN]

Northern Scythe Butterflyfish

The Northern Scythe Butterflyfish is an inhabitant of the rariphotic zone, found in decently deep waters near southern California. It was once thought that fish observed further south belonged to this species, although they were later determined to be separate. [OCEAN]

Devil Anglerfish

Found in deep waters off the coast of southern Africa, the Devil Anglerfish is named because of its somewhat startling appearance. Like other goosefish, this species is a stealthy ambush predator that lies on the seafloor and waits for smaller fish to approach its lure-like dorsal fin. [OCEAN]

Grey Seal

The Grey Seal is sometimes confused with the Harbor Seal, which is often seen in similar environments, although it is larger with a longer snout. These marine mammals are native to the cold waters of the North Atlantic, where they hunt fish such as cod and sand-eels, but they sometimes fall prey to large sharks which find their blubber quite delicious. [OCEAN]

Japanese Angelfish

The Japanese Angelfish’s name can be a bit misleading, as this fish can be found outside of Japanese waters, although it is most common in Japan. It seems as though this species does well in captivity, and it has been successfully bred before. [OCEAN]

Red Rock Crab

The Red Rock Crab is native to the Northeastern Pacific, and it is often confused with other crab species in the area. This crustacean is a preferred food of both humans and octopuses such as the Giant Pacific Octopus. [OCEAN]

Western Blue Achoerodus

The Western Blue Achoerodus is a large member of the Labridae family that lives at depths from 5 to 65 metres in the Eastern Indian Ocean from southern Western Australia to South Australia. They inhabit rocky areas on the continental shelf and feed on small crabs, lobster, fish, mollusks including abalones, and starfish. They get their names from their bright blue colouration as adults. They have a single long-based dorsal fin, a large squarish tail, thick fleshy lips, large heavy scales and peg-like teeth. Like the Eastern Blue Achoerodus, its population was negatively impacted by excessive fishing and spearfishing. As a result of this, it is fully protected off the coast of Victoria as well as recreational fishers only being limited to catching one of them per day in South and Western Australia outside of spatial closures. It is currently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. [OCEAN]

Ross Seal

The Ross Seal is the smallest and least common of the Antarctic seals. It has short fur and a short snout, giving it a rather unusual appearance when compared to more elongated species like the Leopard Seal. This species is known for its complex underwater vocalizations which can be heard from quite far away. Ross Seals are related to the Weddell, Crabeater, and Leopard Seals but are far more rarely seen than any of those species, and not enough is known about them to determine why that may be. [POLAR]

Bluestripe Snapper

The Bluestripe Snapper interestingly mimics the coloration of a species of goatfish. This behavior presumably allows them to hide among schools of the goatfish, which is advantageous to them since most predators would rather eat a goatfish than this species of snapper. [OCEAN]

Bay Nettle

The Bay Nettle is often confused with the Atlantic Sea Nettle, however it has a range that includes the Gulf of Mexico where Atlantic Sea Nettle is not often found. This species can be distinguished by its open-water relative by its smaller size and proportionally longer tentacles. [OCEAN]

Checkered Snapper

This fish can be distinguished by its unusual patterning. Checkered Snappers are found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific, and they are thought to be numerous near Sri Lanka. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Blue Marlin

This large and speedy fish is known for using its elongated rostrum like a blade to stun and injure its prey. The Atlantic Blue Marlin is typically found in open waters far from shore and catching one is considered an impressive feat, since this species can weigh over half a ton. [OCEAN]

Round-Headed Snailfish

Currently known only from Japan, the Round-Headed Snailfish is an interesting deep-water fish with a noticeably bulbous forehead. This species was unknown until 2008. [ABYSS]

Numbray

This very small ray is known from the Indian Ocean, although it is quite rare. The Numbray’s name comes from the electric shocks it can generate, which are not harmful to humans, only being used to stun and kill the tiny fish and invertebrates that it eats. [OCEAN]

Fivesaddle Parrotfish

Also known as the Dusky-Capped Parrotfish, the Fivesaddle Parrotfish is a small parrotfish native to the Indian Ocean. The beak of this wrasse relative is used to scrape algae off of rocks. [OCEAN]

Dwarf Catshark

The Dwarf Catshark is one of the smallest catsharks and also among the smallest sharks in the world, although some species such as pocket sharks and lanternsharks are smaller than it. This species is native to the Western Atlantic, although little is known of its biology aside from the fact that it, like some other sharks but not all, lays eggs. [OCEAN]

Blackfin Goosefish

This is a rare goosefish found in somewhat deep parts of the Western Atlantic, from the United States to Argentina. The Blackfin Goosefish is the smallest member of the genus Lophius (but not the smallest goosefish) and it is often eaten by humans within its range. [OCEAN]

Maroon Clownfish

Unlike all other clownfish, the Maroon Clownfish actually belongs to its own genus, Premnas. It is a relative of the genus Amphiprion that contains the rest of the ‘clownfish’ group, and some scientists say that all clownfish should be in the same genus anyway. [OCEAN]

Emperor Angelfish

This fish is found throughout the Indo-Pacific and is easily identifiable by its unique patterning. The Emperor Angelfish is very popular among divers, aquarists, and photographers, and its wide distribution has led to reports of it from the Mediterranean, most likely due to some of these fish swimming through the Suez Canal. [OCEAN]

Blacktip Snailfish

The Blacktip Snailfish is relatively unknown to scientists, although the species has strangely been kept in an aquarium before. This fish is a relatively typical member of its genus and it is native to Alaskan waters. [ABYSS]

Maxima Clam

The Maxima Clam is a brilliantly colored bivalve that lives symbiotically with tiny algae known as zooxanthellae. This invertebrate is able to acquire energy from the algae’s photosynthesis, although it is also a filter feeder. [OCEAN]

Gem Surgeonfish

The Gem Surgeonfish has an incredibly fitting name, since it is not only relatively rare but also quite beautiful, fetching ridiculously high prices in the aquarium trade. This fish can be distinguished from its relatives by its very noticeable white spots. [OCEAN]

Albacore Tuna

A smaller species of tuna found in open seas around the world, as well as a frequent ingredient in various different dishes. The Albacore Tuna is not suffering as much from overfishing as some of its relatives, meaning that some stocks of this fish can be considered sustainable seafood. [OCEAN]

Philippi's Fur Seal

The Philippi's Fur Seal is native to the Juan and Desventuradas Islands off the west coast of South America. Not very much is known about this particular species of fur seal, but it appears to be the second-smallest of the eared seals and not very social. [OCEAN]

Barrier Reef Clownfish

The Barrier Reef Clownfish is most common in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia (which it was named after), although it has been reported from other locations in the Western Pacific. Like other clownfish, individuals of this species follow a relatively strict social structure that involves males turning into females if a group’s leading female dies. [OCEAN]

Binghams' Wolftrap Angler

This species of wolftrap angler lives in the western central Atlantic Ocean at depths of 2,532 metres (8,307 ft). It is similar the Prince Axel's Wolftrap Angler in having its lure located within its mouth. However, it differs in both its size as well as the shape of its luminous fins which are known as esca. [ABYSS]

Eastern Pacific Black Ghostshark

The Eastern Pacific Black Ghostshark, not to be mistaken with the black ghostshark, is a species of chimaera within the same genus Hydrolagus. They are found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Baja California, Mexico to Validivia, Chile at depths between 2 to 1720 metres. [ABYSS]

Yellowhead Angelfish

This is a rare reef-dwelling species that is sometimes confused with other angelfish such as the Bicolor. Almost nothing is known about the Yellowhead Angelfish other than that it is found off the coast of the Cocos and Christmas Islands. [OCEAN]

Smalleye Pacific Opah

Native to the North Pacific, this medium-sized opah favors open waters. Although it might not look like it, the Smalleye Pacific Opah (and all opahs) is related to oarfish and ribbonfish. [OCEAN]

Ocellated Frogfish

The Ocellated Frogfish is thought to be the second-largest of the frogfish, and it is the largest one found in the Western Atlantic, being much larger than other frogfish in its range. This species of anglerfish can change its color to blend in with its surroundings, but it can always be picked out by its distinctive three spots which distinguish it from most of its relatives. [OCEAN]

Prickly Footballfish

Native to the deep oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, this is a rarely-seen species of anglerfish. The Prickly Footballfish is a good example of how little is known about deep-sea fish, as only a bit of information is available regarding it (it’s still probably the second or third most well-documented footballfish, out of 22 known species). [ABYSS]

Japanese Carpet Shark

The Japanese Carpet Shark is native to the Western Pacific, ranging from Japan to the Philippines. Like many sharks, it uses its electroreceptors to detect the signals emitted by the movements of fish in water, allowing it to pinpoint its prey’s location before attacking, although it is a small and generally docile shark that poses little threat to humans unless provoked. [OCEAN]

Flameback Angelfish

The Flameback Angelfish is found in the tropical West Atlantic. It feeds mainly on algae and sponges, and it is a popular aquarium fish. [OCEAN]

Japanese Bullhead Shark

The Japanese Bullhead Shark is native to coastal waters near China, Japan, and Korea. In a similar manner to the other eight species of bullhead shark, these sharks use their fins to “walk” along the seafloor in search of food. All species of bullhead sharks produce spiral-shaped egg cases that are unique among sharks and instantly recognizable. [OCEAN]

Little Skate

Although you might expect that the Little Skate is a smaller counterpart to the Big Skate, that is not actually the case. It is in fact smaller, but this species is found in the Atlantic and is not closely related to the aforementioned Pacific species. [OCEAN]

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Found in the open ocean, this species of shark can be highly aggressive and potentially dangerous, often thought of as a threat to shipwreck survivors since their weakened state makes them more desirable targets to sharks like these. However, humans kill far more Oceanic Whitetip Sharks than the other way around, and the species is now considered critically endangered due to overfishing for shark fin soup. [OCEAN]

New Zealand Scallop

This is a relatively typical scallop found only off the coast of New Zealand. The New Zealand Scallop is a major export of its home country, since it is used as a food source. [OCEAN]

Blueface Angelfish

This brightly colored fish is often found in the rocky tropical reefs of the Indo-Pacific. Like many other angelfish, juvenile Blueface Angelfish look completely different from adults. [OCEAN]

Short-Tail Nurse Shark

The smallest of the nurse sharks by far, Short-Tail Nurse Sharks are rather rare and only found in a specific part of the Indian Ocean. Despite this, aquarists have actually figured out not only how to keep this species in captivity, but also how to breed them, which is something that is not actually known for many far more common and well-known fish. [OCEAN]

Galapagos Sheepshead Wrasse

Also known as the Goldspot Sheepshead, this wrasse is native to tropical South American waters. Galapagos Sheepshead Wrasses are rather slow-growing, meaning that they are vulnerable to overfishing, although not enough is known about them to tell if they are endangered yet. [OCEAN]

Giant Oarfish

The Giant Oarfish is the world's longest bony fish, feeding on plankton. Sightings of them may have led to the creation of myths of sea serpents and these fish are said to be seen in shallow waters before earthquakes. [ABYSS]

Galapagos Fur Seal

The Galapagos Fur Seal is the smallest member of the eared seal family, and it is endemic to the Galapagos Islands. Alongside the Galapagos Sea Lion, very few predators attack it due to the Galapagos not being frequently visited by great white sharks or orcas. [OCEAN]

Gargantuan Blenny

The Gargantuan Blenny as its name suggests is a large species of combtooth blenny. It can be found in surge zones of reefs at depths of zero to six metres deep in the Eastern Central Pacific especially around the Hawaiian Islands and Midway Islands. [OCEAN]

Long-Spined Sea Urchin

The Long-Spined Sea Urchin is an echinoderm native to the Western Atlantic, and it feeds on algae and plants at night, hiding in shady areas during the day. It is named for its especially long spines that small fish often take shelter between. [OCEAN]

Hoodwinker Sunfish

The Hoodwinker Sunfish is named for its ability to elude scientists, since reports of it were initially dismissed as Ocean Sunfish, although further research has concluded they are in fact different species. This large fish can be distinguished by its smooth appearance (in comparison to other sunfishes), and it is relatively rare. [OCEAN]

Royal Penguin

The Royal Penguin is a close relative of the Macaroni Penguin distinguished by its pale face and front, although the two are very similar and thought by some scientists to be the same species. These penguins inhabit the waters surrounding Antarctica but do not nest in the region so they are typically not year-round inhabitants of the Antarctic region. Antarctic waters contain large numbers of small fish and krill, which may be why penguins that nest outside the area can be seen there. [POLAR]

Atlantic Sea Nettle

The Atlantic Sea Nettle is a carnivorous invertebrate native to the Atlantic coast of the United States. While the stings of this species can be irritating, its venom is not powerful enough to be dangerous to humans, although this defense mechanism does limit its potential predators (even though it fails to deter turtles, sunfish, and other jellies). [OCEAN]

Lubbock's Wrasse

This reef-dwelling fish has only been confirmed to inhabit waters near Indonesia and the Philippines, although there are unverified sightings of it from Malaysia, Japan, and Palau. Little is known about the Lubbock’s Wrasse, although it has a striking and intriguing appearance. [OCEAN]

Blackcap Gramma

The Blackcap Gramma is a larger and more territorial relative of the Royal Gramma. It is frequently found hiding in caves and crevices, far more often than its more popular cousin. [OCEAN]

Blackmouth Anglerfish

The Blackmouth Angler is native to deep waters in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. While once thrown out by Korean fishermen due to its unsettling appearance, it is now a very popular dish in South Korea due to its well-liked flavor and protein-rich meat, although it is usually individuals living in shallower water that get caught. [ABYSS]

Hooded Fairy Wrasse

Also known as the Deepwater Wrasse, the Hooded Fairy Wrasse is a brightly colored inhabitant of the rariphotic zone. Not much is known about it, although it is collected for the aquarium trade. [OCEAN]

Half-and-Half Chromis

This small shoaling fish is relatively unknown outside of the aquarium trade, where it is sometimes seen. There are a variety of other species that look very similar to the Half-and-Half Chromis, making identification of any black and white chromis a very complicated endeavor. [OCEAN]

Pilotfish

The Pilot Fish seems to be named for the supposed belief that it leads ships to shore or larger animals to food sources, which is largely inaccurate. It does often follow larger animals (seeming to favor Oceanic Whitetip Sharks), where it acts as a cleaner fish in exchange for scraps of food that it can grab after its host’s hunt. Although it is normally found near reefs, it will follow sharks, whales and boats for ridiculous distances, ending up out in the middle of the open ocean or occasionally being brought to distant shores. [OCEAN]

Intermedius Sea Urchin

The Intermedius Sea Urchin is a very poorly known echinoderm thought to inhabit the Sea of Japan. It is related to the Green Sea Urchin and the Pacific Purple Sea Urchin. [OCEAN]

Giant Sawbelly

Although many of its congeners favor deeper water than it, this slimehead still has the appearance and adaptations of a deep-sea species. Giant Sawbellies are native to the rariphotic zone and are most often found off of Australia’s southern coast. [OCEAN]

Australian Sharpnose Shark

The Australian Sharpnose Shark occurs in the tropical waters of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Almost nothing is known about this small species of shark, a situation which is not helped by the fact that all seven species of sharpnose shark look relatively similar, making identification difficult. [OCEAN]

Orange-Lined Triggerfish

Fish like the Orange-Lined Triggerfish are quite important to reefs because of their ability to keep sea urchin populations under control by feeding on them. Without any animals to fill this role, urchins would consume too much algae and take away the food source of other species. [OCEAN]

Helfrich's Firefish

Inhabiting deeper waters than its relatives, this striking member of the goby family prefers to keep to itself or live within a pair. The Helfrich’s Firefish is rather unique-looking when compared to its relatives. [OCEAN]

Longspine African Anglerfish

The Longspine African Angler is known from the Eastern Atlantic, where it inhabits somewhat deep waters off the west coast of Africa. Very little is known about this rare and mysterious member of the goosefish family. [OCEAN]

Lagoon Damselfish

Unlike some of its relatives, the Lagoon Damselfish prefers to feed on detritus in shallow water. This species can be distinguished by its strikingly colored orange head. [OCEAN]

Sharptail Sunfish

This unusual fish can be distinguished from its relatives by its pointed tail. Sharptail Sunfish are rare and not very well known, although recently they have become important to fisheries and popular to eat in Taiwan. [OCEAN]

Ringtail Surgeonfish

Due to variations within the coloration of this species, it frequently gets confused with the closely related Fine-Lined Surgeonfish. The Ringtail Surgeonfish is a fairly typical surgeonfish often found feeding on algae in groups. [OCEAN]

Bluespotted Trevally

Smaller than many more widely known members of the genus Caranx, Bluespotted Trevallies are relatively common in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific. Strangely, the juveniles of this species have evolved peculiar stripes to mimic an unrelated saltwater catfish so they can school with it for protection. Despite the strange behavior and appearance of juveniles, adults of this species are relatively normal fish. [OCEAN]

Fried Egg Jellyfish

The Fried Egg Jellyfish is native to the Mediterranean and is immediately recognizable due to its bizarre appearance. The venom of this invertebrate may actually be useful to humans since it seems to be effective against cancer cells, although further studies still need to be done. [OCEAN]

Diamond Stingray

The Diamond Stingray is native to the Eastern Pacific from California to Chile, including the Galapagos and Hawaiian Islands. This species moves along the seafloor in search of food, preferring invertebrates such as crabs (one particular ray was found to have recently eaten at least 30 crabs), so it is sometimes trailed by groups of fish looking for an easy meal stirred up by the ray’s activities. Diamond Stingrays generally hide under the sand during the day and are most active at night, and though they are sometimes seen alone, they have a tendency to form large groups. [OCEAN]

Easter Island Butterflyfish

As its name suggests, this species is endemic to Easter Island, where its preferred habitat is among algae-encrusted volcanic rocks. It seems that juvenile Easter Island Butterflyfish act as cleaners, picking parasites off of larger fish. [OCEAN]

Praya Dubia

The Praya Dubia, is not actually one single organism. This invertebrate is actually a colony of smaller individual units that cannot survive on their own, however together they make up one very large, unusually shaped but easily distinguishable creature. [ABYSS]

Scott's Fairy Wrasse

Native to the Pacific, this strikingly colorful wrasse can be found from Australia to the Pitcairn Islands. The Scott’s Fairy Wrasse is named in honor of Sir Peter and Lady Philippa Scott, who organized the dive cruise where this fish was first sighted. [OCEAN]

South American Sea Lion

South American Sea Lions are members of the eared seal family found along the coasts of southern South America. These marine mammals are adaptable hunters that feed not just on fish, but also on cephalopods, birds, and the occasional young fur seal. [OCEAN]

Humboldt Penguin

The Humboldt Penguin is named after the Humboldt Current which runs northward along the western coast of South America, which is in turn named after the explorer Alexander von Humboldt. While they are sometimes confused with their relatives the Magellanic Penguins, Humboldt Penguins are typically found further north, inhabiting the Pacific coasts of Chile and Peru, though the range of the two species does overlap in parts of Chile. These birds swim out from shore by day to hunt for fish such as sauries and anchovies. They hunt through diving just below their targets and then darting upward to catch them. [OCEAN]

King Mackerel

The King Mackerel is found in the Western Atlantic and overlaps in range with the Atlantic Spanish Mackerel, although it has fewer spots and is much larger. While they are large fish with powerful muscles, they do not attack humans unless they feel a need to defend themselves. [OCEAN]

Yellowlined BassIet

This relative of the Royal Gramma inhabits the rariphotic zone in the Western Atlantic. Not that much is known about the Yellowlined BassIet although it is definitely a uniquely colorful fish. [OCEAN]

Boa Catshark

The Boa Catshark, alongside many other catshark species, is a member of the genus Scyliorhinus, although this particular species can be found at greater depths than most of its relatives. Both its common and scientific name reference the similarity between this shark’s patterns and those of a certain type of snake, although it is extremely unlikely that this species has ever encountered an actual boa. [ABYSS]

Indonesian Coelacanth

Not one but two species of coelacanth currently survive today. Most people are familiar with the West Indian Ocean Coelacanth, but the Indonesian Coelacanth is a different species of fish and is distinguished by its smaller size, shallower habitat, and brown coloration. [OCEAN]

Shortspine African Anglerfish

The Shortspine African Angler is a rare, very flat species of goosefish known only from deep waters off the west coast of Africa. While it has a similar name to the Longspine African Angler, the two are members of the same family but otherwise unrelated. It is possible that this fish belongs to the same species as the Monkfish. [OCEAN]

Whitesaddled Catshark

The Whitesaddled Catshark is a poorly known species of shark native to relatively deep waters in the Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea. The depths it lives at, while not especially deep, are not subjected to a notable amount of fishing pressure in the region it inhabits, so this shark is not considered a threatened species. [OCEAN]

White Marlin

The White Marlin is often confused with other billfish species, since it overlaps in range with several. Due to this fish’s method of breathing, it (like some sharks and other open-water species) needs to keep swimming in order to move water over its gills. It is a fast, active hunter native to warm parts of the Atlantic. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Trumpetfish

Not to be confused with the West Atlantic Trumpetfish, this relative of seahorses is quite unusually shaped. Atlantic Trumpetfish display a variety of hunting strategies when looking for smaller fish to eat, although they often become prey for predatory birds such as ospreys when in shallow water. [OCEAN]

Saltbrush

This seems to be an albino Weddell Seal, as its typical dark patterning is absent. Such animals have been sighted before, although they may be difficult to spot in snowy areas, but that’s not an issue as this one appears to be relaxing on a rock alongside other individuals of its species. The unusual name given to this individual might be a reference to something.... Saltbrushc, a 3D modeler and map developer for the game. [POLAR]

School Shark

Also known as the Tope Shark, the Snapper Shark, or, sadly, the Soupfin Shark, the School Shark inhabits temperate oceans around the world. These sharks are often seen in groups and are highly migratory, with individuals first seen and tagged in the United Kingdom being subsequently encountered in places as far away as Iceland, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. One of the names for this shark, the Soupfin Shark, refers to the shark fin soup industry, which is in part responsible for causing this shark to be currently considered Critically Endangered. While the shark fin soup trade is unsustainable and unethical due to sharks being frequently killed and discarded back into the ocean with only the fins being removed, overfishing as a whole is the primary threat to the School Shark. [OCEAN]

Pacific Geoduck

This unusually shaped clam is native to the coastal waters of the northwestern United States, as well as western Canada. Despite its unsettling and disturbing appearance, the Pacific Geoduck is considered a delicacy in many Asian countries. [OCEAN]

Yellowfin Soldierfish

The Yellowfin Soldierfish is found in deeper water than many of its relatives, and it appears to have a wide Indo-Pacific distribution despite being rare. This species exhibits the interesting behavior of living in and around caves inhabited by coelacanths, although nobody is quite sure why. [OCEAN]

Spot-Tail Mantis Shrimp

Native to the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic, the Spot-Tail Mantis Shrimp is notable for its tail markings. This crustacean is a food source for humans living within its range, particularly in Italy, where it is often known as ‘canocchia’. [OCEAN]

Javanese Damselfish

The Javanese Damselfish is most famous for its brightly colored and beautiful juvenile form, also known as the Blue Velvet Damselfish. This causes many aquarists to purchase juveniles, unaware that they will lose their distinctive patterning as they grow. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Spanish Mackerel

These fish migrate across the Western Atlantic and prefer to feed on small fish in shallower waters. Despite its name, the Atlantic Spanish Mackerel is not found anywhere near Spain. [OCEAN]

Whitetip Soldierfish

These nocturnal fish are often seen under overhangs in the Indo-Pacific. Whitetip Soldierfish (and other soldierfish) have a bizarre habit of occasionally swimming upside-down for no apparent reason. [OCEAN]

Whitetail Angelfish

The Whitetail Angelfish is rather confusing taxonomically, since it is no longer recognized as a valid species. It appears as though this is actually just a color morph of the species known as the Fisher’s Angelfish, although these individuals are certainly distinct. [OCEAN]

Pelorus Jack

A Risso's dolphin named Pelorus Jack gained fame for guiding ships from 1888 to 1912 along the perilous Cook Straight in New Zealand. Pilot whales were not common in this region so his appearance there made him instantly recognizable to onlookers. He had a preference for following steel-hulled steamships due to them producing better bow waves for him to ride. His friendly behavior even attracted the affection of notable people including American author Mark Twain. Unfortunately, not everyone was friendly to him as in 1904, a passenger aboard the steamer, SS Penguin, shot at him. After a public outcry, the New Zealand governor passed legislation that protected him. This made New Zealand the first nation to grant legal protection to an individual marine animal. Even though he is most likely gone as his last sighting was in April of 1912, he still leaves a cultural impact globally ranging from a Scottish Country Dance to a chocolate bar named after him. [OCEAN]

Barhead Spinefoot

These Indo-Pacific reef fish are primarily herbivorous, with algae as their main food source. The Barhead Spinefoot is usually solitary, although they can sometimes be seen in groups. [OCEAN]

Caribbean Reef Octopus

The Caribbean Reef Octopus prefers hiding in rocky lairs that are difficult for potential threats to locate or access. This is a nocturnal hunter that specializing in catching and eating other invertebrates, including its own kind. [OCEAN]

Shaggy Frogfish

The Shaggy Frogfish is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific, although it is usually not seen near islands for some reason. Like other frogfish, it is a solitary anglerfish that only forms groups in order to reproduce, as typical interactions between two frogfish result in one eating the other. [OCEAN]

Splendid Dottyback

This is a decently large dottyback that is sought after by fishkeepers due to its unique patterning. The Splendid Dottyback is native to the Indo-Pacific and it is almost always seen very close to corals. [OCEAN]

Shortfin Mako Shark

The more well-known of the two mako sharks, Shortfin Mako Sharks travel throughout open waters, feeding on similarly fast fish. These sharks are sought after by fishermen due to their speed and strength, because managing to catch one is quite an impressive feat. [OCEAN]

Yellow Chromis

Also known as the Yellow Puller, this fish is widespread throughout Indo-Pacific reefs. The Yellow Chromis can be distinguished from related fish by its bright yellow coloration. [OCEAN]

Fiji Anemonefish

The Fiji Anemonefish is a species of clownfish that is commonly found on coral reefs at depths of 2 to 10 metres in the Central Pacific around the islands of Fiji, Tonga, and American Samoa. Like most other clownfish, they have a symbiotic partnership with sea anemones including the Bubble-tip Anemone and are usually found in groups around them. They feed on zooplankton. This species was originally thought to be a colour variation of the Australian clownfish around 1972 and of the cinnamon clownfish in 1980 before finally being revealed to be its own species through DNA sequencing in 2008. [OCEAN]

Two-Tone Wrasse

The Two-Tone Wrasse is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific. Individuals of this species collected from different areas can display differing coloration, making identification sometimes a bit difficult. [OCEAN]

Yellowbreasted Wrasse

Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific, the Yellowbreasted Wrasse has a rather accurate name. Apparently this fish is sometimes eaten by humans, which seems a bit strange given its small size and lack of schooling behavior. [OCEAN]

South American Fur Seal

Not to be confused with the South American Sea Lion, the South American Fur Seal is a species of pinniped found in coastal parts of South America, from Peru to Cape Horn to Brazil. Not very much is known about this particular species of fur seal, but it is thought to be similar to the Antipodean Fur Seal and the two are sometimes considered to be the same species, although they are usually thought of as different. [OCEAN]

Subantarctic Fur Seal

The Subantarctic Fur Seal is native to the world’s southern seas, although it does not venture anywhere near Antarctica. Unlike some pinnipeds, they hunt primarily at night, feeding on lanternfish as they rise to the surface. [OCEAN]

Halloween Hermit Crab

The Halloween Hermit Crab is found frequently throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. Its small size, bright coloration, and ability to clean algae in tanks make it a very popular crustacean among aquarists. [OCEAN]

Black Hagfish

The Black Hagfish is a notably dark hagfish species native to temperate northern seas. Like its relatives, it has the ability to secrete an uncanny amount of slime to make it nearly impossible to eat. [ABYSS]

Sharpfin Houndshark

Little is known about this species, other than that it is related to the Leopard Shark. Only two Sharpfin Houndsharks have ever been found, both off the coast of Ecuador, and it is thought to be the smallest member of the genus Triakis. [OCEAN]

Feeler Fish

This particular spiderfish can be distinguished from its close relatives by its very long pectoral fins that can reach further back than its tail. The purpose of the Feeler Fish’s ‘feelers’ is not known, and honestly not much about this species is known, other than its preference for hunting invertebrates in the darkness off the coast of Australia and New Zealand. [ABYSS]

Australian Sea Lion

Native to southwestern Australia’s coasts, the Australian Sea Lion is the continent’s only endemic species of pinniped. It is an endangered species due to being hunted by humans, although conservation efforts are being made with the intention of restoring its population. [OCEAN]

Barrier Reef Chromis

The Barrier Reef Chromis sports a striking and easily identifiable pattern, with a yellow back and a white underside separated by a black band. This damselfish is native to Australian waters, where it often forms shoals. [OCEAN]

Slender Sunfish

The smallest member of the family Molidae, this strangely shaped fish can be found throughout the world, and it is mostly known from incidents in which individuals or groups have ended up stranded on beaches. It is thought that the Slender Sunfish’s unusual shape wards off predators who become confused about what it is (this tactic also works on many people who have no clue what they are looking at upon encountering this fish). [OCEAN]

Paletail Chromis

The Paletail Chromis is a relatively large member of its genus native to the Pacific Ocean. Like other chromises, it is a social fish frequently seen in groups. [OCEAN]

Japanese Sawshark

The Japanese Sawshark inhabits the Northwestern Pacific near Japan, as its name suggests. Like most sawsharks, this species hunts small bottom-dwelling sea creatures and is ovoviviparous which means its eggs develop inside the mother but then hatch before actually leaving. [OCEAN]

Black Marlin

The Black Marlin is distinct from other marlins not just by its coloration, but also by its inability to press its pectoral fins against its body, which leads to it holding them down by its sides. Mainly native to the open waters of the Indo-Pacific, these fish are fast and powerful hunters. [OCEAN]

Indo-Pacific Blue Marlin

The Indo-Pacific Blue Marlin is a large fish that is very similar to, and in fact closely related to, the Atlantic Blue Marlin. Of all of the billfish species in the world (including marlins, swordfish, sailfish, and spearfish), this one seems to prefer the warmest waters, being considered the most tropical billfish. It is possible that these fish belong to the same species as the Atlantic Marlin, although not all sources agree on their classification. [OCEAN]

New Zealand Sea Lion

The New Zealand Sea Lion is a large but rare species of sea lion native to southern New Zealand. The name of the genus that this species belongs to, Phocarctos, translates to “seal-bear”, which is oddly appropriate since bears are the closest relatives of pinnipeds such as seals and sea lions. [OCEAN]

Japanese Horseshoe Crab

Also known as the Tri-Spine Horseshoe Crab or the Trident Horseshoe Crab, this unusual arthropod is the largest living species of horseshoe crab. The Japanese Horseshoe Crab is more tolerant of cold temperatures than any other horseshoe crab found in Asia, although it still needs warm water to moult. [OCEAN]

Flame Jellyfish

The Flame Jellyfish is a popular species for humans to eat. Native to Asian waters, this jellyfish is now intensively farmed in China due to demand for it as food. Interestingly, the farms only raise jellyfish temporarily, releasing them into the sea for later capture when they reach a certain size. [OCEAN]

French Angelfish

Although its name might suggest otherwise, the French Angelfish actually lives nowhere near France, instead ranging from New York to Brazil as well as the coasts of several tropical Atlantic islands. The second part of its scientific name, Pomacanthus paru, refers to the Portuguese name of this fish. [OCEAN]

Dwarf Sawshark

Not very much is known about the Dwarf Sawshark, as it is quite rare. It is the smallest known member of the sawshark family and feeds on bottom-dwelling crustaceans. [OCEAN]

Tompot Blenny

While blennies are typically thought of as reef fish, the Tompot Blenny enjoys colder North Atlantic Waters. This fish is rather large for a blenny and notably territorial. [OCEAN]

Deepwater Frogfish

Known only from the waters around the Philippines and Indonesia, the Deepwater Frogfish is a small, unusual, and rare anglerfish with a distinctive purple hue. The “Deepwater” part of its name is not entirely accurate as there are multiple frogfish that are found deeper, although this species is typically found in slightly deep areas. [OCEAN]

Zoster Butterflyfish

Also known as the Brown and White Butterflyfish or the Black Pyramid Butterflyfish, the Zoster Butterflyfish is a relatively common sight on outer reef slopes, where this species gathers in large numbers. These fish are native to the Indian Ocean and probably do not have a love of hiding in ancient temples, contrary to some beliefs. [OCEAN]

Western Carpet Shark

The Western Carpet Shark is a member of the carpet shark family found off the coast of Western Australia. Like its relatives, this species spends most of its time on the seabed waiting for passing fish to draw close enough to be struck at and eaten. This particular species occurs in the same region as the Ornate and Spotted carpet sharks, although it does not grow as large as either of those. [OCEAN]

West Pacific Goosefish

Also known simply as the Goosefish (a very strange name since goosefish are an entire family of fish and this is definitely not the first known member of that family or the most common one), the West Pacific Goosefish is an inhabitant of the rariphotic zone in the tropical western Pacific. Like other members of its genus, it is rare and difficult to observe due to its unassuming, dirt-like coloration and mysterious habitat. [OCEAN]

Magellanic Penguin

The Magellanic Penguin is the largest and most numerous member of the same genus as African, Humboldt, and Galapagos penguins. These penguins are native to the waters of southern South America, and while they nest only in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands, they are known to migrate as far as Brazil. While they are not currently considered a threatened species, that could change as the threats of a warming ocean and oil spills become even more prevalent. [OCEAN]

Antipodean Fur Seal

Also known as the Australasian Fur Seal, the South Australian Fur Seal, the New Zealand Fur Seal, or the Long-Nosed Fur Seal, the Antipodean Fur Seal is native to colder waters off the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. Fur seals are typically smaller than sea lions, with denser fur. [OCEAN]

Sand Gaper Clam

Known by a variety of other names, the Sand Gaper Clam is a bivalve with a relatively thin shell that breaks easily. Because of this, it often hides in the sand so that it is not a particularly easy target for predators. [OCEAN]

Brown-Banded Moon Jelly

The Brown-Banded Moon Jelly is easily distinguished from other species of moon jellies, as it is smaller than most others and sports a peculiar dark band. These jellies drift around the polar waters of the Arctic Ocean, although they are sometimes encountered elsewhere, being usually seen in areas too cold for most other moon jellies to thrive in. [POLAR]

Indo-Pacific Sailfish

The Indo-Pacific Sailfish is widely known as one of the fastest fish in the world, although recent studies have revealed it cannot reach the speeds it was previously thought to. It can be found cruising through warm open waters and using its bill to slash and injure prey items, making them easier to catch. [OCEAN]

Broad-Barred Goby

The Broad-Barred Goby lives in a symbiotic partnership with the coral it hides in. If toxic algae starts to plague the coral, this fish will clean the coral by eating the algae, absorbing the toxin and allowing it to produce especially toxic mucus as a defense. [OCEAN]

Double-Lined Mackerel

The Double-Lined Mackerel feeds mainly on smaller fish such as anchovies and triggerfish, occasionally eating small barracudas as well. It is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific and often confused with the rarer Shark Mackerel. [OCEAN]

Epaulette Soldierfish

Also known as the Shoulderbar Soldierfish, the Epaulette Soldierfish is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific. It is often confused with other species of soldierfish that it looks similar to, such as the Blackbar Soldierfish and the Scarlet Soldierfish. [OCEAN]

Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel

These large mackerel are found in the Indo-Pacific, and they are especially common off the north coast of Australia. Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel have recently become common in the eastern Mediterranean after swimming through the Suez Canal, leading to them becoming important for fisheries in that area. [OCEAN]

Vampire Squid

The Vampire Squid’s name is misleading in every possible way, as it displays no vampiric tendencies and is not even a squid. It is thought to be the only living member of an order of otherwise extinct species, so it can be considered somewhat of a “living fossil”. Because it lives at depths where oxygen is very scarce (which does not actually mean it lives in incredibly deep areas), its metabolic rate is the lowest relative to its mass of any deep-sea cephalopod. These mollusks feed on falling debris and very small invertebrates and they are frequently eaten by fish and deep-diving whales, being an important food source in a desolate layer of the ocean. [ABYSS]

Yellowspotted Catshark

The Yellowspotted Catshark is one of many species of shark found only around southern Africa, being known only from Namibia and South Africa, although it is relatively rare and found in deeper water throughout most of its range, barring the colder parts of South Africa where it may be seen closer to the surface. While not considered an endangered species, this shark is threatened by hake fisheries in the area which discard it as bycatch, and it is thought that new sharks of this species do not hatch fast enough to balance out the ones that are caught. [OCEAN]

Short-Snouted Lancetfish

The Short-Snouted Lancetfish is smaller and rarer than its long-snouted cousin, so not as much is known about it. Although its smaller size is likely to limit its potential prey, this fish is still an aggressive carnivore that will eat any animal that can fit in its mouth. Both species of lancetfish are unfortunately often caught as bycatch when fishing for tuna, meaning their populations suffer from the effects of overfishing (even though no commercial fishing operations actually try to catch them). [ABYSS]

Darkfin Amberjack

This smaller amberjack is also known as the Fortune Jack. Native to the Pacific, the Darkfin Amberjack is not very well-known as anything other than a food source. [OCEAN]

Cocoa Damselfish

The Cocoa Damselfish is native to the tropical Western Atlantic and displays variable coloration, with different morphs of the species looking quite different. Although it can be quite aggressive, it does appear in the aquarium trade. [OCEAN]

Bone-Eating Worm

There are several species of Bone-Eating Worms, although this species was the first one to be described to science. These small, bizarre relatives of tubeworms feed by burrowing into bones with root-like structures and extracting nutrients from them, a very strange method of feeding. Males are microscopic and symbiotic with the larger females, and a female Bone-Eating Worm can host hundreds of males, allowing them to reproduce nearly constantly and proliferate throughout the world’s oceans. [ABYSS]

Chilean Crab

There are other species that the Chilean Crab is often confused with (especially due to its rather vague name). It is found off of the coast of Chile and Peru, and it seems to be related to the Brown Crab. [OCEAN]

Deepwater Pipefish

The Deepwater Pipefish is quite rare and almost nothing is known about it, as it is only known from a few specimens from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. It appears as though this fish inhabits rariphotic coral reefs in deep water. [OCEAN]

Fiordland Penguin

Fiordland Penguins are closely related to (and look very similar to) Snares Penguins. However, these penguins are known to live on the South Island of New Zealand (specifically the Fiordland region) and Stewart Island, unlike the aforementioned species. These penguins feed mainly on squid and their range is thought to have been wider at one point, since fossils and pieces of archeological evidence exist that suggest the birds were once found in other parts of New Zealand and possibly elsewhere. [OCEAN]

Tall-Crested Penguin

The Tall-Crested Penguin, as its name suggests, is notable for the tall yellow clusters of feathers that stick up from either side of its head. This is the largest member of the genus Eudyptes (which also includes the Snares, Fiordland, macaroni, royal, and rockhopper penguins) and it nests on temperate and subantarctic islands south of New Zealand. These squat and stately birds spend the winter at sea, where they “fly” through the water in search of delicious fish, krill, and squid. Unlike some penguins found in the Subantarctic region, Tall-Crested Penguins do not venture into Antarctic waters, even to feed. On some islands, they nest in mixed colonies with other birds such as Southern Rockhopper Penguins or albatrosses. [OCEAN]

Great White Shark

The Great White Shark is probably the most popular and iconic shark in the ocean. Although these large, open-water sharks are dangerous, they are nowhere near as aggressive as they are frequently depicted to be in movies and other media. They are thought to not like the taste of human flesh, meaning that many times that one of these sharks attacks a person, they will only bite once and then leave their victim alone. [OCEAN]

Southern Bottlenose Whale

The southern bottlenose whale is a species of beaked whale that lives in Antarctic waters. They can dive in deep waters of up to over 1000 metres for up to 15 to 40 minutes per dive. The males of this species are large with bulbous heads compared to the females which are smaller. Males of this species are known to have scars from fighting with other males. They feed mainly on prey such as the Patagonian toothfish, squid, and krill. The biggest threat this species faced historically was from Soviet and Japanese whaling from 1970 to 1982. In 1994, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) created a whale sanctuary within the Southern Ocean which protects this species alongside other whales in this region from commercial whaling. [POLAR]

Western Australian Chromodoris

The Western Australian Chromodoris demonstrates the ability to absorb toxins from the sponges it eats, using them as a defense against predators. As its name suggests, it is native to Western Australia. [OCEAN]

Western Striped Cardinalfish

Found only in Australian waters, the Western Striped Cardinalfish is a striking but poorly-known species. Like many of its relatives, this small fish protects its young by hiding them somewhere very safe… in its own mouth. [OCEAN]

False Killer Whale

The False Killer Whale is the sole living species of dolphin of the genus Pseudorca. They get their names from having similar skulls to orcas. They feed on a wide variety of prey including large fish including mahi-mahi, tuna, and sharks; smaller dolphins; and even on rare occasions larger whales like cachalot whales and humpback whales. Strangely enough, they get along socially with common bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, pilot whales, melon-headed whales, pantropical spotted dolphins, pygmy killer whale, and Risso's dolphins. While being prey to killer whales, they have even been able to co-exist with them when hunting schools of fish together. They are found in tropical and semitropical oceans. Unfortunately, they are a species of whale that commonly mass strands itself for reasons that are unknown. [OCEAN]

Stygiomedusa Jellyfish

The Stygiomedusa Jellyfish is an obscure, rare jellyfish that was described in 1910 but has only been sighted 118 times despite its wide distribution. This is a very large jellyfish with enormous, flexible arms, although it curiously has no stingers, meaning it must catch its prey in some other mysterious way. [ABYSS]

Scaly-Foot Snail

This bizarre mollusk favors deep waters near hydrothermal vents. Strangely, the Scaly-Foot Snail sports an unusual suit of iron-coated armor thought to have something to do with the mineral-rich water of the vents, a feature that does not appear in the anatomy of any other known animal. This species was not scientifically described until 2015, although its existence has been known about since 2001. [ABYSS]

Prickly Dogfish

The Prickly Dogfish is native to deep waters near Australia and New Zealand. This unusually shaped shark is not a fast or active swimmer, preferring to slowly swim over the seafloor in search of small fish or invertebrates to eat. It gets its name from the fact that the skin of this species is covered in large, pointed scales, which make it rough to the touch. It shares this characteristic with other members of the family Oxynotidae, a family which is collectively known as the rough sharks. [ABYSS]

Toge Snailfish

The Toge Snailfish is rather poorly known, although it somehow managed to receive a common name unlike most obscure deepwater animals. This fish is native to the cold, deep North Pacific. [ABYSS]

Bandit Angelfish

Found in rocky, sheltered areas, the Bandit Angelfish (also known as the Banded Angelfish) can be distinguished from almost all other reef fish by its peculiar horizontal band. This species is known from Hawaii, but it is rather secretive and thought to be rare. [OCEAN]

Antarctic Deep-Sea Octopus

As its name suggests, the Antarctic Deep-Sea Octopus is a species of octopus found in deep waters near Antarctica and Heard Island. This is a very poorly-known species and it is closely related to the North Pacific Deep-Sea Octopus, the Warty Octopus, and the Yamana Octopus, all of which are members of the genus Graneledone. [POLAR]

Sixbar Angelfish

The Sixbar Angelfish is often found inhabiting reefs alone or in pairs, feeding on sponges and making grunting sounds when disturbed. While juveniles of this species are popular in home aquaria, purchasing one is not a good idea unless you can accommodate the fish’s adult size and need for swimming space. [OCEAN]

Threespot Damselfish

The name ‘Threespot Damselfish’ can be used for a variety of different species. This particular fish is native to the Western Atlantic and feeds primarily on seaweed. [OCEAN]

Monkfish

The Monkfish is thought to be the largest of the anglerfish, reaching up to 2 meters (over 6 feet) in length, which is interesting as anglerfish are often thought to be deep-sea fish, yet the largest of the group favor shallower waters. It is a member of the goosefish family, which are characterized by their broad, flattened bodies and bottom-dwelling lifestyle, and this species is often caught and eaten by humans (primarily in Europe where this fish occurs) who seem to find it quite delicious. Monkfish and other goosefish are known to sometimes hunt by burying themselves in the sand and lunging at passing fish. [OCEAN]

Atlantic Mackerel

The Atlantic Mackerel is a very common shoaling fish found in open waters throughout colder parts of the Mediterranean and North Atlantic Ocean. This wide distribution gives it a variety of other names, such as the Boston Mackerel, Norwegian Mackerel, and Scottish Mackerel, since it is found off the coasts of all of those areas. [OCEAN]

Western Blobfish

One of the smallest members of its genus, the Western Blobfish inhabits somewhat shallower water than its relatives. Not very much is known about it, other than that it is native to the waters off of Western Australia. [ABYSS]

Knifetooth Sawfish

Known by a variety of names, this unusually shaped ray is the only living member of the genus Anoxypristis. The Knifetooth Sawfish is unfortunately sought after for shark fin soup (which is strange as it is not a shark), leading to significant population decline. [OCEAN]

Galapagos Bullhead Shark

The Galapagos Bullhead Shark is, as its name suggests, native to the Galapagos Islands, although it is also known from Peru. This species of shark is nocturnal, hunting for shellfish at night and resting by day, and it is also rather docile and non-aggressive. It is possible that the Galapagos Bullhead Sharks from Peru are actually another species (which would make them the tenth bullhead shark known), but not enough is known about these sharks to determine if they belong to one or two species. [OCEAN]

Spectacled Box Crab

Also known as the Spotted Box Crab, this species is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific. The Spectacled Box Crab is named for the distinctive markings above its eyes that typically do not appear in other box crab species. [OCEAN]

Majestic

This is a Blue-Girdled Angelfish that is looking even more majestic than usual. It appears to be slightly different from typical members of its species in coloration and patterning. This unique individual is named after Majestic Angelfish, one of the game's 3D modelers. [OCEAN]

Five-Lined Coral Goby

The Five-Lined Coral Goby is a rather typical member of its genus. It is relatively unknown, although it is quickly identifiable due to the noticeable lines on its face. [OCEAN]

Cherubfish

The Cherubfish is actually a very small species of angelfish native to the western Atlantic. It appears to be less aggressive than some of its relatives, and it is frequently encountered hiding in groups. [OCEAN]

Eastern Talma

The Eastern Talma is a species of butterflyfish found in the Indo-West Pacific at depths of 70 metres and is endemic to Australia. They are found in rocky reefs usually in pairs that are defensive. They feed on small crustaceans, worms, and filamentous algae. [OCEAN]

Western Talma

The Western Talma is a species of butterflyfish found at a depth range between 51 to 57 metres in the Eastern Indian Ocean. Like the Eastern Talma, they are usually found in pairs along rock faces as well as feeding on small worms, crustaceans, and algae. However, they grow much larger than their cousin as well as having a slightly different coloration. [OCEAN]

Snares Penguin

The Snares Penguin is named for its primary range, as this species inhabits the Snares Islands off the coast of southern New Zealand. Unlike some penguin species, Snares Penguins are not thought to migrate very far from their home range and are not commonly recorded anywhere else. These birds feed mainly on krill, which makes up a majority of their diet although they are known to eat fish and squid as well. [OCEAN]

Pacific Bluefin Tuna

Unlike most fish, the Pacific Bluefin Tuna, alongside other species of tuna, can regulate its own body temperature, making it partially warm-blooded. These large fish are sought after by fisheries, and are not a particularly sustainable food source with the current rate of overfishing. [OCEAN]

Nomura's Jellyfish

This very large jellyfish is native to the seas of eastern Asia, where it is rapidly increasing in population due to warming oceans and other species being overfished. Due to the overpopulation of Nomura’s Jellyfish, people are starting to eat them and a Japanese company has started putting them in ice cream. If not cooked properly, the meat of this species can be toxic. [OCEAN]

Southern Sunfish

Also known as the Ramsay’s Sunfish or Bump-Head Sunfish, this relative of the Ocean Sunfish is only found in the Southern Hemisphere. Like other members of its family, the young of the Southern Sunfish are absolutely tiny and need to grow relatively quickly in order to reach a size where they are no longer vulnerable to many predators. [OCEAN]

Strap-Toothed Whale

The strap-toothed beaked whale is a beaked whale that lives within the Southern Ocean. It can grow 6.2 m (20 ft) in length and reaching up to 1,300 kg (2,900 lb). This species of whale is unique in males of this species having two large tusks that protrude from their mouths which can even unfortunately grow enough to prevent them from opening their mouths at all. Scientists believe they use these tusks in order to fight off rivals. [POLAR]

Northern Carpet Shark

The Northern Carpet Shark is a small bottom-dwelling shark native to northern Australia. It is one of the more frequently seen carpet sharks in the aquarium trade due to its small size, but that does not mean it is entirely harmless: carpet sharks have strong jaws and may bite divers if provoked, although they are generally peaceful and will not attack if left alone. [OCEAN]

Doctorfish

The Doctorfish is thought to be the most widespread member of its genus, ranging from the United States to Brazil to western Africa. Like other surgeonfish, this reef fish has scalpel-like blades on its sides that are used to slice or stab at rivals or threats. [OCEAN]

Anemone Hermit Crab

The Anemone Hermit Crab ventures out at night to collect anemones, which it puts on its shell as a surprising but effective method of defense against predators such as octopuses. This makes the crustacean very difficult to attack without getting stung by the anemones. [OCEAN]

Compass Jellyfish

The Compass Jellyfish is a small sea nettle that is widespread in the cold waters of the Northeastern Atlantic. There are other, similar-looking “compass jellies” found in other parts of the world that were once thought to belong to the same species as it. [OCEAN]

Pacific Chub Mackerel

Also known simply as the Pacific Mackerel or Chub Mackerel, the Pacific Chub Mackerel is a schooling fish found throughout the Pacific Ocean. It is not present in the Atlantic Ocean or the Indian Ocean (with the exception of South African waters where it seems to also occur), although other species also known as “chub mackerel” are found in those oceans. [OCEAN]

Indo-Pacific King Mackerel

The Indo-Pacific King Mackerel is a relatively small member of the Spanish mackerel family that is quite common off the coast of the Indian subcontinent. It is considered a delicacy in India, in the same way that other mackerel are very popular in other parts of the world, meaning mackerel is almost a universal food source due to the wide distribution of the group. [OCEAN]

Big Red Jellyfish

This is a large, nearly spherical jellyfish found in deep parts of the Pacific, and it was entirely undescribed until 2003 (although a very small number of individuals seem to have been reported before then). Its scientific name, Tiburonia granrojo, comes from Tiburon, which was the underwater robotic vehicle used to discover it, and “gran rojo”, which is the Spanish term for “big red”. “Tiburon” is also a Spanish word, and it translates to “shark”, which makes the Big Red Jellyfish one of the few species to have a scientific name that was not based on any Greek or Latin words. [ABYSS]

Japanese Spanish Mackerel

The Japanese Spanish Mackerel is a streamlined fish native to the Western Pacific, being found around Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea (but not Spain). It is a commercially important species that is often served in sushi or grilled. [OCEAN]

African Chromodoris

This is a relatively large member of its genus, and it is primarily known from the Indian Ocean, although questionable reports of it from the Philippines exist. The African Chromodoris feeds on sponges of the genus Negombata. [OCEAN]

Chinese Mackerel

Also known as the Chinese Seerfish, this is one of the largest of the mackerel family (aside from the tunas). The Chinese Mackerel is a somewhat mysterious fish native to the Western Pacific, although specimens have been caught in the Mekong River for some reason. [OCEAN]

Shark Mackerel

Native to Australian waters, the Shark Mackerel is a larger cousin of the Double-Lined Mackerel. It appears to be named due to its coloration and patterning resembling that of a reef shark, which makes sense given their somewhat similar adaptations and ecological roles. [OCEAN]

Starck's Damselfish

The Starck’s Damselfish is a rather obscure species (although it did appear in a pair of decently popular diving games for a certain Nintendo console). This fish inhabits medium-depth reefs and looks oddly similar to the unrelated Flameback Angelfish. [OCEAN]

Narrownose Chimaera

The Narrownose Chimaera is a species of chimaera of the genus Harriotta. They are found on the continental shelf as well as the ocean floor within the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Very little is known about them due to them living at depths between 200 to 3100 metres. They are believed to mostly feed on shellfish and crustaceans. Chimaeras get their name from the mythical creature of Greek Myths due to them having a unique morphology that is unlike most of their other cartilaginous relatives. [ABYSS]

Dusky Chromis

Also known as the Blue-Axil Chromis or Dusky Puller, this little-known fish is native to the tropical Pacific Ocean. Like other damselfish, Dusky Chromis tend to be quite territorial when guarding their eggs, although they are likely to be more peaceful at other times. [OCEAN]

Blueside Wrasse

The Blueside Wrasse is a close relative of the Red-Eye Wrasse (a species which is also known as the Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse). This small fish is common in the Indo-Pacific, where it lives in groups and feeds on plankton. [OCEAN]

Pelagic Viviparous Brotula

The Pelagic Viviparous Brotula is a rather small and poorly-known fish native to deep parts of the Atlantic. It is a member of the same order as cusk-eels and it seems to live in a peculiar symbiotic partnership with the Stygiomedusa Jellyfish, where the two are often seen together for some reason. [ABYSS]

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark is native to the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, where it ranges from New Brunswick to the Gulf of Mexico. These small sharks are fast-swimming hunters that feed on a variety of fishes and invertebrates. [OCEAN]

Phantom Cardinalfish

This is a rare and poorly-known cardinalfish native to the tropical Indo-Pacific, and it is the only member of its genus. The genus name of the Phantom Cardinalfish, Lachneratus, references the ichthyologist Ernest A. Lachner, who studied gobies and cardinalfish from the Indo-Pacific. [OCEAN]

Longbill Spearfish

The Longbill Spearfish is an open-water fish native to the Atlantic. It feeds primarily on other pelagic fish such as needlefishes and small tuna, although it is known to also hunt squid. It is distinguished from other spearfish by its longer bill, as its name suggests. [OCEAN]

Small-Spotted Catshark

Also known as the Lesser Spotted Dogfish, the Sandy Dogfish (which is ironic since it is not a dogfish), the Rough-Hound, or the Morgay, the Small-Spotted Catshark is native to the Northeast Atlantic, although it may be found as far south as northern Africa. This nocturnal shark is known to be the most common catshark species encountered in the waters near Europe. [OCEAN]

Smalltooth Sand Tiger

The Smalltooth Sand Tiger is a species of mackerel shark of the genus Odontaspis that is found in the Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic, and the Indo-West Pacific at depths from 10 to 850 metres. They are also believed to be found in the Western Central Pacific, Central Pacific, and Eastern Pacific. They are found on or near the bottom of the continental and insular shelves and upper slopes as well as shallow waters. They prey on bony fish like rockfish, rays, chimaeras, smaller sharks like the kitefin shark, shrimp, squid, isopods, and other small creatures. They use a large oily liver in order to regulate their buoyancy. They are docile to divers and unfortunately are listed as vulnerable due to habitat degradation, overfishing, pollution, and human disturbance. In 1984, this species gained the protection of the Australian government alongside the grey nurse shark which it resembles though unfortunately these regulations are difficult to enforce. [OCEAN]

Yellow Goosefish

The Yellow Goosefish is the second-largest member of the goosefish family, and likely the second-largest anglerfish overall. Native to East Asian waters, it is frequently eaten in Japan and it is sometimes known as simply the “Monkfish”, which leads to confusion with the European species more commonly known by that name. This fish might not appear outwardly very yellow, although it is more yellow than many of its relatives. It is also possible that the “Yellow” part of its name refers to the Yellow Sea where it is frequently found, although this is less likely and probably just a coincidence. [OCEAN]

Shortbill Spearfish

The Shortbill Spearfish is a species of billfish native to the Indo-Pacific, where it is usually found swimming near the surface in open water. Spearfish are typically smaller than other types of billfish such as swordfish, sailfish, and marlins. [OCEAN]

Egg-Yolk Jellyfish

The Egg-Yolk Jellyfish is a large and aggressive predator that feeds mainly on smaller jellyfish, hydroids, and comb jellies. However, its venomous stings are relatively weak against harder-bodied targets, allowing crabs and amphipods to steal food from its tentacles without much risk. It is not to be confused with the Fried Egg Jellyfish, which is smaller, more colorful, and looks less like an actual fried egg. [OCEAN]

Japanese Sleeper Ray

This peculiarly shaped ray is native to the Northwestern Pacific, where it spends most of its time hunting for invertebrates on the seafloor. The Japanese Sleeper Ray is often hunted by sharks and other predators, although it can create a powerful electric shock (like its relatives the torpedo rays) to defend itself. Like us, this cartilaginous fish gives live birth, it does not lay eggs. [OCEAN]

Snowflake Moray Eel

While eels have a habit for being voracious and aggressive large fish unsuitable for a reef aquarium, the Snowflake Moray is actually a popular choice to keep with small tropical fish. It feeds on invertebrates, leaving fish alone, and doesn't grow nearly as big as most morays. [OCEAN]

Little Penguin

The Little Penguin’s name is quite accurate, as it (alongside the other members of the genus Eudyptula, which are sometimes thought to be the same species as it) is the smallest of the penguins, standing at about 30-35 cm (12-14 in) tall on average. This species is native to a large portion of the south coast of New Zealand, while the little penguins in Australia and the Otago region of New Zealand are typically thought to be a different species based on genetic differences. The small size and blue coloration of these birds makes them quite unique among penguins and instantly recognizable, being easily distinguished from all other species except for their closest and possibly conspecific relatives, known as the Fairy Penguin and the White-Flippered Penguin. [OCEAN]

Indonesian Sea Nettle

Not very much is known about the Indonesian Sea Nettle, other than that it sometimes ends up in aquarium displays. This obscurity is partially due to the fact that it was formerly confused with a different species of jellyfish that it overlaps in range with, meaning that information actually attributed to this species is rather scarce. [OCEAN]

Long-Beaked Common Dolphin

‘Common’ is a strange word to use in this species’ name, since it is far rarer and less widespread than its short-beaked counterpart. The Long-Beaked Common Dolphin is not very well known and is only found in a few small areas of the ocean. [OCEAN]

Fragile Sea Star

Oddly, this species displays a great degree of variability. Fragile Sea Stars seem to vary not just in color and shape, but also in their number of limbs, which isn’t something that is normally variable. [OCEAN]

Pearlscale Angelfish

Also known as the Half Black Angelfish, the Pearlscale Angelfish is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific. These fish mainly feed on algae that they scrape from nearby rocks. [OCEAN]

Moorish Idol

The Moorish Idol is a very strange reef-dwelling fish that closely resembles bannerfish in terms of coloration and patterning, however it is not related to them. This fish is thought to have split off from all modern species at least 50 million years ago, and its closest relatives are believed to actually be the surgeonfish. [OCEAN]

Yellow-Eyed Penguin

The Yellow-Eyed Penguin is the only living member of the genus Megadyptes, and it is found on the coasts of New Zealand and nearby islands. Two distinct populations of this species exist, although there are no visual or genetic differences between the two, even though the populations rarely encounter one another. The northern population is found on Stewart Island, Codfish Island, and the South Island of New Zealand, whereas the southern population inhabits the Subantarctic, nesting on the Auckland Islands and CampbeII Island. Yellow-Eyed Penguins feed mainly on fish, and unlike many fish-eating penguins they prefer hunting fish found near the seafloor instead of going after fast-moving midwater species. [OCEAN]

Indonesian Carpet Shark

The Indonesian Carpet Shark is one of the only carpet sharks not native to Australia. Instead, this species is found in the waters of Indonesia and Malaysia, although it has also been reported (though these reports have not been confirmed) from the Philippines, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. [OCEAN]

MajorGalah

This rare albino false killer whale is named after MajorGalah who is a 3D Modeler for this game. [OCEAN]

Portuguese Man O’War

The Portuguese Man O’War is actually a colony of tiny organisms that together form a jellyfish-like shape, similarly to other colonial organisms like the famously large Praya Dubia. This invertebrate is also quite large since although the main part of its body is relatively small, its tentacles can extend over 30 meters (100 feet) down, allowing it to catch fish swimming far below it. However, its brainless nature means that it just drifts with the current and doesn’t have much in the way of tactics to hunt or defend against anything that can avoid its stinging limbs. [OCEAN]

Angular Roughshark

The Angular Roughshark is an unusual-looking shark, although it looks rather normal for a member of the roughshark family. It is native to the eastern Atlantic, where it can be found from Norway to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea. While not a desired target of any fishing operations, this shark frequently ends up as unwanted bycatch, which is problematic as it is a deepwater species that can experience difficulties upon being pulled up to the surface. As such, Angular Roughsharks have never been reported to survive being caught and released, suggesting that the mortality rate for this type of interaction is quite high. Because of this, the Angular Roughshark is considered an endangered species. [ABYSS]

Belted Cardinalfish

The Belted Cardinalfish is a tiny fish native to the Western Atlantic. This reef-dwelling species has displayed the unusual and memorable behavior of using sea urchins as shelter, which stops all but the most determined predators from eating it. [OCEAN]

South American Sea Nettle

This is the second largest species of sea nettle, and it is known only from South American waters. The South American Sea Nettle has highly advanced reproductive strategies that seem to involve alternating generations, changing states, and what is essentially self-cloning (similar to other jellyfish). [OCEAN]

Blue Shark

These pelagic sharks are frequently known to migrate long distances and can be found all over the world except for polar regions. Blue Sharks are not particularly aggressive nor dangerous, and can typically be seen hunting squid and small to medium-sized fish. [OCEAN]

Talbots Damselfish

Sporting a unique, sunset-like coloration, the Talbots Damselfish is a rather beautiful tiny fish. This has caused it to recently become popular among aquarists. [OCEAN]

Singlespot Frogfish

The Singlespot Frogfish is closely related to the Ocellated Frogfish and it is also found in the Western Atlantic, so the two are sometimes confused. However, this species can be distinguished by its much smaller size and its patterning, which consists of one large spot instead of three. [OCEAN]

Blackear Angelfish

Typically seen in groups above the rocky reefs of Easter Island, this is a little-known but impressive-looking angelfish. Blackear Angelfish are resilient fish that are sometimes collected for the aquarium trade, although they are rather rare. [OCEAN]

Tasselled Carpet Shark

The Tasselled Carpet Shark is perhaps the most iconic member of the Orectolobidae family, in addition to being the only living member of the genus Eucrossorhinus. Tasselled Carpet Sharks are very flat and well-camouflaged, making it incredibly difficult for potential prey items to detect the lurking sharks. The large mouth of this species enables it to hunt large prey, with an individual measuring 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) being recorded eating a bamboo shark 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length, which is much larger relative to its own body than the prey most shark species go after. [OCEAN]

Pocket Shark

The pocket shark is a species of kitefin shark (Dalatiidae) that lives at a depth of 330 metres or 1,080 feet within the southeastern Pacific Ocean. They get their names from a small pocket-like gland found behind each pectoral fin on either side of their bodies. The purpose of these glands which are unique to their genus (Mollisquama) is still unknown to scientists. Based on their small size of 40 cm (16 in), they most likely could also fit in your pocket as well. [ABYSS]

Risso's Dolphin

The Risso's dolphin is the sole species of dolphin of the genus Grampus. They are named after the French naturalist, Giuseppe Antonio Risso, who studied this dolphin along with naming 549 marine genera and species. They enjoy living off continental shelves with depths from 400–1,000 m (1,300–3,300 ft). They are one of the deepest diving dolphins going up to depths of 600 metres to hunt their prey which includes cephalopods like squid and smaller fish. Risso's dolphins often enjoy traveling with other species of whales as well as feeding around fishing boats. They even have been seen riding the bow waves of gray whales and ships. [OCEAN]

Blue-Barred Dottyback

Also known as the Surge Dottyback, the Blue-Barred Dottyback is a colorful and unusual dottyback that makes for a rather popular aquarium fish. Like almost all of its relatives, it can be somewhat aggressive. [OCEAN]

Pelagic Thresher Shark

The smallest species in the genus Alopias, the Pelagic Thresher Shark is known for favoring open waters further from shore. Interestingly, this shark is born unusually large. Baby Pelagic Threshers can be up to 43% of their mother’s length. [OCEAN]

Salmon Shark

The Salmon Shark is closely related to the Porbeagle, although it lives in the North Pacific where porbeagles do not occur, although it has been known to venture into the Arctic on rare occasions. This is a warm-blooded shark that feeds on fish such as clupeids and, unsurprisingly, salmon. Unusually, a majority of Salmon Sharks in the eastern part of their range are female, while a majority are male in the western portion, and the underlying cause of this difference is unknown. [OCEAN]

Bigeyed SixgiII Shark

The Bigeyed SixgiII Shark is a relative of the Bluntnose SixgiII Shark, although it is noticeably smaller. This fish is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and while it was once thought to occur in the Atlantic as well, those populations were recently found to constitute a different species entirely. [ABYSS]

Spurred Hatchetfish

Known by a variety of other names, this is a very small fish native to the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Like many hatchetfish, the Spurred Hatchetfish is found in deeper water during the day and migrates upward at night. [ABYSS]

Blue Mackerel

Although it may look like a small, timid fish, the Blue Mackerel is an indiscriminate and voracious carnivore that will eat nearly anything it can, even attempting to consume bare fishhooks. Despite this, it poses no threat to larger animals such as humans (only targeting very small prey and typically fleeing at the sight of anything large) and is often caught and made into cat food. [OCEAN]

Bathynerita Snail

Bathynerita Snails have an unusual symbiotic partnership with Seep Mussels, seeking them out and eating microbes that accumulate on their shells. These tiny gastropods are able to detect mussels from unusually far away, although nobody has figured out how they do it. [ABYSS]

Glacier Lanternfish

The Glacier Lanternfish is most often seen in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, although it has recently been reported from the Arctic, indicating that unknown populations of this species may still exist or that its range is expanding. Like many lanternfish, this species migrates upwards to shallower water at night, although it seems as though not all individuals do for some reason. [POLAR]

Greater Moon Jelly

The Greater Moon Jelly is native to the Pacific Ocean and it is slightly larger than the Common Moon Jelly. However, size is not a good way to identify jellyfish species and the differences between the two are relatively minor. Like other jellyfish, these move by contracting their body and pushing themselves forward in an unusual method, as well as just drifting with the current. [OCEAN]

Goldenstriped Cardinalfish

Also known as the Orange-Lined Cardinalfish (not to be confused with the Southern Orange-Lined Cardinalfish), the Goldenstriped Cardinalfish is a nocturnal plankton-feeding reef fish. This fish has interestingly been used as a test subject for research about what will happen to the world’s ocean life as carbon dioxide levels rise. [OCEAN]

Giant Hatchetfish

The Giant Hatchetfish is the largest species of marine hatchetfish, which are not to be confused with freshwater hatchetfish, a different and unrelated group of small flattened fish. Despite its name, it is not actually a very large fish. [ABYSS]

Megamouth Shark

The Megamouth Shark is the smallest of three species of filter-feeding sharks, with the others being the Whale Shark and the Basking Shark. It is a mysterious and rare species that moves from deeper parts of the ocean to shallower ones when the sun sets, only to descend further down the next day. This shark feeds on plankton and jellyfish and can have up to 75 rows of tiny teeth in its lower jaw. Because of its elusiveness and rarity, it was entirely unknown until 1976 as well as being undescribed until 1983. [OCEAN]

Frilled Shark

This species of shark is sometimes considered a ‘living fossil’ because many of its traits are quite similar to species that have been extinct for millions of years. The Frilled Shark was thought to be the only living member of the family Chlamydoselachidae until a smaller and rarer species was discovered relatively recently. [ABYSS]

North Pacific Starfish

Also known as the Amur Starfish or the Japanese Common Starfish, this echinoderm is very adaptable and has a very wide range, as it is native to, and common in, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Canada, Alaska, and Russia, where it is found not just in the Pacific but the Arctic as well. This species can proliferate quite quickly and it has become invasive in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and on the Atlantic coast of the United States. It is incredibly notorious in Australia due to the potential damage it can cause to local marine ecosystems, as it is known to eat the eggs of a critically endangered Australian fish known as the Spotted Handfish and it competes with starfish that are actually native to the area. In the areas that it is native to, it is not as problematic and usually just cleans up the ocean floor by scavenging and keeps clam and mussel populations in check. [POLAR]

White-Flippered Penguin

The White-Flippered Penguin is a poorly-known type of penguin that may be its own species but is also sometimes considered a subspecies of the Little Penguin or even just a regional variant of that species. Despite this obscurity and confusion, it is visually distinguishable from its relatives because of the white patterns on the edges of its flippers and its grey coloration. These flightless birds are found only at New Zealand's Banks Peninsula and Motunau Island, and, regardless of their taxonomic status, they are more closely related to the Little Penguin than the Fairy Penguin, even though all three are members of the same genus, Eudyptula. [OCEAN]

Antarctic Starry Skate

The Antarctic Starry Skate is primarily seen around South Georgia Island, though it can also be seen further south towards Antarctica. This species feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates and produces large egg capsules that are deposited in sandy or muddy flat areas. [POLAR]

Southern Opah

The most unusual opah in terms of appearance, the Southern Opah (not to be confused with the Southern Spotted Opah) is distinguished by its small size, more slender build, and lack of spots. This fish is native to the Southern Ocean, although it seems to not inhabit Antarctic waters. A study of quite a few Southern Opahs concluded that they seem to prefer eating squid and that their native range is unfortunately quite polluted. [OCEAN]

Japanese Sea Nettle

The Japanese Sea Nettle makes for a decently common exhibit in public aquariums, as its bright colors and trailing appendages can be quite mesmerizing. The sting of this species is thought to be more dangerous than some of its relatives. [OCEAN]

Grey Sharpnose Shark

The Grey Sharpnose Shark is native to the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific, where it ranges from the Persian Gulf to Japan and Palau. This species is harmless to humans, although it is frequently caught for human consumption (especially due to the demand for shark-fin soup) and is considered Near Threatened as a result. This does not mean that the species is endangered yet, but if unsustainable fishing practices continue, it may end up in that position. [OCEAN]

Firefly Squid

The Firefly Squid is bioluminescent, because it is capable of producing light with organs called photophores. [ABYSS]

Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly

This peculiar-looking animal is a member of the phylum Ctenophora (known commonly as comb jellies), which are not jellyfish at all, and their evolutionary connection to other animals is mostly unknown. The Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly is notable for its dark red color and unusual heart-like shape when compared to most comb jellies which are more round. The unusual iridescent markings on its sides are cilia, which wave around to propel the animal through the deep. [ABYSS]

Gummy Squirrel Sea Cucumber

This oddly shaped sea cucumber, known to scientists as Psychropotes longicauda, is found at the bottom of the sea in all of the world’s oceans. The eggs of the Gummy Squirrel Sea Cucumber are the largest of any echinoderm, meaning that no sea star, sea cucumber, or sea urchin in the world has larger eggs. This is a rather impressive achievement, since this species is nowhere close to being the largest echinoderm, and it is thought that the size of its eggs allows for a large and dense yolk, which nourishes its offspring for quite some time as they disperse through the water. [ABYSS]

Pajama Cardinalfish

The Pajama Cardinalfish is a popular aquarium fish with a memorable appearance. This Pacific species is also known as the Coral Cardinalfish, Spotted Cardinalfish, or Polka-Dot Cardinalfish, which are all rather cute names for a traditionally beloved fish. [OCEAN]

Pale Sea Urchin

The Pale Sea Urchin is named for its coloration when compared with its close relatives such as the Pacific Purple Sea Urchin. Its coloration can range from golden yellow to almost entirely white. It is supposedly found from Norway, the Sea of Japan, and the Salish Sea to the Arctic Ocean, indicating that it may simply inhabit all of the world’s temperate to polar northern waters, although it has yet to be reported from the northwestern Atlantic. [POLAR]

Blacktip Soldierfish

Also known as the Splendid Soldierfish or Splendid Squirrelfish (a rather erroneous name since this species is not a squirrelfish), the Blacktip Soldierfish is native to the Indo-Pacific and often seen in pairs or small groups. Soldierfish have spiny dorsal fins that can make them a hazardous meal for potential predators, although the spines are not venomous. [OCEAN]

Bobbit Worm

Also known as the Sand Striker, the Bobbit Worm is an ambush predator typically found hiding under the sand in warm waters. This relatively terrifying polychaete worm will suddenly lurch from beneath the sand and strike an unsuspecting small fish with its mouthparts before dragging it into its burrow. [OCEAN]

Orange Bobtail Snipe Eel

The orange bobtail snipe eel is one of two known species of bobtail snipe eels. Their bodies are described to be shaped like arrows and are a bright orange-red colour. They grow to a maximum length of 16 centimetres and are found in the Atlantic Ocean at depths of 2000 to 2200 metres. Its larval form was mistaken for a separate species initially. [ABYSS]

Western Slimehead

Not to be confused with the Western Pacific Slimehead or the fish known simply as the Slimehead, this species is native to the Western Atlantic and has a surprisingly wide distribution given its rarity. Sightings of this fish have been reported from Brazil all the way to Canada. [OCEAN]

Mediterranean Monk Seal

While the Mediterranean Monk Seal was once quite numerous within its range, human activities such as fishing (where seals are unfortunately seen as pests and sometimes killed) and pollution have driven the population down to around 700 individuals. These mammals often form groups in sea caves because those areas are relatively safe from humans and other threats. [OCEAN]

Eastern Rockhopper Penguin

Originally, all rockhopper penguins were thought to be the same species, until a study suggested that the Northern and Southern Rockhopper Penguins were rather distinct and could be considered their own species. A prevailing view is that there are just two species in the rockhopper penguin complex, but genetic testing has indicated that the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin may be more distinct than just a subspecies of the Southern. Not everyone accepts this, but it does mean that the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin, distinguished by its short, pale crest and small size, can be considered to be the third species. [OCEAN]

Reinhardts Snailfish

Also known as the Sea Tadpole, the Reinhardts Snailfish is an obscure cold-loving fish mainly native to the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. These small fish prefer deep, muddy areas with water temperatures barely above freezing, and they feed primarily on crustaceans found either on or above the seafloor. [POLAR]

Striated Frogfish

Unlike most reef-dwelling species, the Striated Frogfish can be found in warm parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, ranging from the Gulf of Mexico to western Africa to the Red Sea to Japan to northern New Zealand, which is an impressive range for one species of warmth-loving fish. These fish sport hair-like projections on their skin and an enormous expandable mouth, and they can even inflate themselves like puffers! [OCEAN]

East Atlantic Opah

The East Atlantic Opah has uniquely large spots and a dark grey body color that distinguish it from other opahs. It is native to the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and it is thought to be similar to its relatives, feeding on squid and occasionally schooling with unrelated species of fish. [OCEAN]

Slender Reef-Damsel

This tiny fish has only been reported from the Marshall Islands and the Caroline Islands. This means that almost nothing is known about the Slender Reef-Damsel, but it seems to be a strikingly colored species. [OCEAN]

Soleatus Barreleye

The Soleatus Barreleye is an unusual member of its group, characterized by a pointed head and a compressed body. Like other barreleyes but unlike many deep-sea animals, this species does not migrate to deeper or shallower waters depending on the time of day, preferring to live out its existence wherever it happens to be. [ABYSS]

Richardsons Reef-Damsel

The Richardsons Reef-Damsel is a close relative of the equally mysterious Slender Reef-Damsel. Both of these fish seem to be quite tiny, quite rare, and restricted to rather specific areas, with this species only being known from a few scattered locations in the Pacific. [OCEAN]

Northern Rockhopper Penguin

Also known as the Moseleys Penguin, the Northern Rockhopper Penguin is a small penguin with an elaborate crest of feathers native to the Southern Indian Ocean. These penguins are unfortunately considered endangered due to threats such as overfishing depleting their food supply and invasive species like mice eating some of their eggs. However, there is still hope for this species as a mass removal or killing of the invasive mice on the islands that the birds nest on is being considered. [OCEAN]

Crocodile Shark

The smallest of the mackerel sharks (an order including species such as the Basking Shark and the Great White Shark), the Crocodile Shark is a fast-swimming nocturnal hunter that feeds on fish, squid, and shrimp. Crocodile Sharks were historically known for attacking underwater fiber-optic cables near the Canary Islands, since the electric field of the cables may have confused the sharks and led them to bite the cables, although the cables were eventually coated in steel underneath polyethylene, which stopped future shark attacks from occurring. [OCEAN]

Southern Rockhopper Penguin

The Southern Rockhopper Penguin was the first species of rockhopper penguin described, and for quite a while it was thought that all rockhoppers belonged to this species. These ocean-loving flightless birds nest on the Falkland Islands and the waters of Argentina, though they may travel some distance away from shore to feed and can be found rather far away from these places when it is not nesting season. [OCEAN]

Oman Bullhead Shark

The Oman Bullhead Shark is known from the Indian Ocean, where it occurs near Oman, which makes sense given its name. This species of shark was described in 2005, making it the most recently described species of bullhead shark, and very little is known about it, but it is thought that it may be caught as fishing bycatch within its range. [OCEAN]

Ringtail Cardinalfish

The Ringtail Cardinalfish is a nocturnal hunter, although the only things it poses a threat to are small invertebrates. Interestingly, this species has been reported alongside the Short-Tooth Cardinalfish, suggesting that they group together for safety. [OCEAN]

Willans Chromodoris

The Willans Chromodoris is quite similar to the Lochs Chromodoris, although it is not as brightly colored. This sea slug eats sponges and is native to the Philippines. [OCEAN]

Dwarf Spotted Carpet Shark

The Dwarf Spotted Carpet Shark is named for its resemblance to the Spotted Carpet Shark, which it was historically confused with, even though that species is much larger than this one. This is a small shark native to Australian waters that was not recognized as its own species until 2008, making it one of three carpet shark species described in that year. [OCEAN]

Fuzzy Nautilus

The Fuzzy Nautilus' name is somewhat of a misnomer, as this mollusk is not actually a member of the genus Nautilus. Instead, it belongs in the related genus Allonautilus, and it is distinguished by its unusually fuzzy and slimy shell. [ABYSS]

Grey Angelfish

Also known as the Gray Angelfish or Pot Cover, the Grey Angelfish is the largest of all angelfishes. Feeding on sponges during the day and hiding under overhangs at night, this reef-dwelling species is sometimes caught and eaten by humans. [OCEAN]

Inshore Hagfish

While hagfish are thought of as abyssal, the Inshore Hagfish is found in decently shallow water. This jawless fish occurs most frequently in Asian waters, where it is considered a delicacy in some countries. [OCEAN]

Bahamas Sawshark

This sawshark lives in deeper, darker waters than its relatives, preferring to hunt in the rariphotic zone. Although rather menacing in appearance, Bahamas Sawsharks are non-aggressive and only hunt small prey. [OCEAN]

South Seas Devil Damselfish

Also known as the Fiji Damselfish, the South Seas Devil Damselfish is very aggressive towards other small fish, especially when defending its nest. It is native to the western Pacific. [OCEAN]

Shortnose Sawshark

The Shortnose Sawshark is found off the coast of southern Australia. Although less well known than its longnosed cousin, the two are both rather numerous and neither of them is under threat of extinction. [OCEAN]

Narcosis Angelfish

The Narcosis Angelfish was named after a condition known as nitrogen narcosis that can affect divers when they breathe in pressurized gas, something that the original discoverers of this species were suffering from. This tiny angelfish inhabits deepwater reefs and is known only from the Cook Islands. [OCEAN]

Spotfin Frogfish

The Spotfin Frogfish can be found in warmer waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, although it is most common in the tropical Indo-Pacific. Like most anglerfish, this species hunts by sitting motionless on a rock or sponge and wiggling its dorsal fin around, imitating a delicious worm or shrimp in order to attract a prey item such as a small fish or crab that it promptly engulfs. [OCEAN]

New Zealand Sawbelly

This fish is quite similar to its close relative the Giant Sawbelly. However, discerning observers can tell the New Zealand Sawbelly apart due to its slightly smaller size, redder coloration, and black fin markings that are not present on its cousin. [OCEAN]

Bocourt Swimming Crab

The Bocourt Swimming Crab is a relative of the Atlantic Blue Crab, although it is definitely not blue. This species is native to the tropical West Atlantic, and it is sometimes eaten by humans. [OCEAN]

Largetooth Cookiecutter Shark

Not to be confused with its close relative, the Largetooth Cookiecutter Shark can be distinguished mainly by its smaller size, darker color, lack of a dark patch on its underside, and extremely large teeth. This small shark does not venture as deep as its shorter-toothed counterpart, preferring to stick to shallower waters. [OCEAN]

Black-Spotted Butterflyfish

The Black-Spotted Butterflyfish is a rather rare fish found only in the northwestern Indian Ocean. Like some other butterflyfish, this species feeds mainly on coral polyps. [OCEAN]

Eccentric Sand Dollar

Sand dollars are actually an extremely flattened group of sea urchins. The Eccentric Sand Dollar, native to the Northeastern Pacific, is usually found in sandy areas or underground burrows. [OCEAN]

Zebra Seahorse

Although it might not seem believable that a genus of fish named after horses contains a zebra-patterned species, the Zebra Seahorse does actually exist, although it’s quite rare and not very much is known about it. It appears to be very small, even by the standards of seahorses, and it is only found in the waters of Northern Australia. [OCEAN]

Spectacled Porpoise

The spectacled porpoise is a small species of porpoise that lives in the Southern Ocean. The males of this species have much larger rounder fins compared to the females as well as growing larger. Due to them inhabiting a remote region, they have been studied little. They are believed to feed on smaller fish and squids. They get their name from the markings on their eyes which resemble spectacles. They have only been sighted 28 times between 1978 to 2004 by researchers though they may be able to studied better with the advancement of technology. Their predators are thought to be sharks, leopard seals, and orcas. [POLAR]

Owlfish

Native to very deep water in the northern Pacific Ocean, this fish can be distinguished by its enormous eyes. The Owlfish is not a very well-known species due to how little exploration has been done of its habitat. [ABYSS]

Longlure Frogfish

The Longlure Frogfish is native to the Western Atlantic, and it is usually found in places with lots of sponges. Frogfish are known for changing their color to blend in with their surroundings, but the color-changing process is quite slow, meaning that frogfish ideally must stick to a small territory for several weeks in order to not risk being incorrectly camouflaged. [OCEAN]

Australian Box Jelly

Box Jellies are not actually jellyfish, since they belong to an entirely different class known as Cubozoa. The Australian Box Jelly is one of the largest and most venomous box jellies, and an accidental encounter with this species has the potential to quickly turn lethal, which is one of the reasons for Australia's coasts having a deadly reputation. [OCEAN]

Scarlet Soldierfish

The Scarlet Soldierfish is a small soldierfish native to the Indo-Pacific, where it is found under ledges in shallow tropical waters. This species occasionally appears in the aquarium trade, though it is easily confused with the Blackbar Soldierfish. [OCEAN]

Banded Pipefish

This very thin fish is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific. It is possible that the bizarre coloration and patterning of the Banded Pipefish breaks up its already strange outline, confusing potential predators to the point where they cannot tell what to attack. [OCEAN]

Whitelined Coral Goby

The Whitelined Coral Goby is one of the smallest members of its genus, reaching only about an inch (2.5 centimeters) in length. It is very poorly known, although it is quite interesting in terms of appearance. [OCEAN]

Fairy Penguin

Also known as the Australian Little Penguin, the Fairy Penguin closely resembles the Little Penguin but seems to be slightly differently colored. While their alternative common name might suggest that these tiny penguins are found only in Australian waters, that is not correct as oddly this species is also native to the Otago region of New Zealand (though not in any other parts of the country, as the similar-looking penguins found there belong to different species, being either the Little or White-Flippered Penguin). Though they may not be magical, Fairy Penguins are still cute, colorful, and charming birds. [OCEAN]

Gulf Carpet Shark

The Gulf Carpet Shark is the second-largest member of the Orectolobidae family of sharks. It was once thought to be the same species as the Ornate Carpet Shark since the two look similar, even though genetically this species is closer to the Spotted Carpet Shark, which is the largest of the family. [OCEAN]

Rosy Frogfish

Also known as the Spiny-Tufted Frogfish, the Rosy Frogfish is one of the smallest frogfish. It is found in the Indo-Pacific and is almost always seen in areas with multiple sponges, since it is thought to hide by pretending to be a very small one. [OCEAN]

MacCain's Skate

Also known as the McCains' Skate, the MacCain’s Skate is a slow-growing species of ray seen in Antarctic and Subantarctic waters. Young MacCain’s Skates have a tendency to follow large objects, which seems to be an adaptation that enables them to keep within range of their mother while they are still very young and very small. [POLAR]

Indian Chub Mackerel

The Indian Chub Mackerel is a rare species of mackerel known only from the Indian Ocean. This species was not discovered until 2016 and not all sources acknowledge its existence yet, due to subsequent encounters being rather limited. It is not to be confused with the much more common Indian Mackerel. [OCEAN]

Skipjack Tuna

The Skipjack Tuna is a small species of tuna that forms large shoals in open waters near the surface. This fish is not just eaten by larger marine animals, but also by humans, as it is caught and used in several different types of seafood cuisine. [OCEAN]

Viper Dogfish

The Viper Dogfish is a very small, rarely seen shark native to the Pacific Ocean. Despite its menacing appearance, this species would much rather use its sharp teeth and large, protrusible jaws to hunt small fish like lanternfish. These sharks move into shallower waters at night than they inhabit by day - although they do not ever venture into truly deep waters. It is known that fish such as pomfrets and tuna feed upon Viper Dogfish, even though the shark itself is not very well-known. [OCEAN]

Antarctic Lanternfish

The Antarctic Lanternfish is a small, deeper-water fish native to Antarctic waters. It is quite important to the ecosystem of the polar Southern Ocean, as it is a major predator of krill and a primary prey species for various different birds found in the same region. [POLAR]

Indian Frogfish

Native to very warm waters in the Indian Ocean, this is a relatively rare species of fish that is not often observed. The Indian Frogfish can also sometimes be confused with other species such as the Striated Frogfish, so information on it is lacking. [OCEAN]