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MammalsWarm-blooded vertebrates

BirdsFeathered vertebrates

FishAquatic vertebrates

ReptilesScaled ectotherms

AmphibiansLand & water life

InvertebratesAnimals without backbones

Species directory

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Filter the animals shown on this page by name, scientific name, group, or IUCN code.

Pygmy seahorse (group overview)

Hippocampus (pygmy complex)

Small fish~1–3 years

Pygmy seahorses are miniaturised Hippocampus noted for extreme crypsis and male brooding; many live on gorgonians.The pygmy seahor···

Yellow Goosefish / Japanese Anglerfish

Lophius litulon

Small fishApprox. 10–15 years

Lophius litulon—the yellow goosefish (Japanese anglerfish)—is a large demersal predator in theNW Pacific (family Lophiidae). The···

Spot‑fin Porcupinefish

Diodon nicthemerus

Small fishApprox. 6–10 years

Diodon nicthemerus—the spot‑fin porcupinefish (also called slender‑spined porcupinefish)—belongs to thefamily Diodontidae. Lik···

Atlantic Trumpetfish

Aulostomus maculatus

Small fishApprox. 6–10 years (wild estimates)

Aulostomus maculatus—the Atlantic trumpetfish—belongs to the family Aulostomidae and is a classicstealth ambush predator on Cari···

Prawn goby (shrimp‑goby symbiosis · overview)

Gobiidae (symbiotic shrimp‑goby clade: Amblyeleotris, Cryptocentrus, Stonogobiops)

Small fishAbout 2–6 years

Prawn goby is a vernacular for gobies that live in mutualistic symbiosis with alpheid “pistol” shrimps(Alpheus spp.). Hallmark g···

Leafy Seadragon

Phycodurus eques

Small fishApprox. 6–10 years (wild estimates)

The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) is a member of the Syngnathidae (seahorses & pipefishes),renowned for its ornate leaf‑···

Lutjanus quinquelineatus (Five‑lined Snapper)

Lutjanus quinquelineatus

Small fishAround 10–15 years

Lutjanus quinquelineatus—the five‑lined snapper—is a common Indo‑Pacific reef snapper of the familyLutjanidae. It bears five p···

Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes · Family Overview)

Chaetodontidae

Small fishAbout 5–12 years (species/habitat dependent)

Chaetodontidae—the butterflyfishes—are among the most conspicuous reef indicator fishes in the tropics.Key genera include Chaeto···

Antennarius (Frogfishes · Genus Overview)

Antennarius

Small fishSeveral to 10+ years (estimated)

Antennarius—the frogfishes—belongs to the family Antennariidae and epitomisescamouflaged ambush predation. The first dorsal spin···

Rajiformes (Skates · Order Overview)

Rajiformes

Medium Fish10–30+ years (longer in large/high‑latitude taxa)

Rajiformes—in modern usage typically referring to the skates within the batoids—differs from stingraysby being oviparous and lac···

Bolbometopon muricatum (Bumphead Parrotfish)

Bolbometopon muricatum

Medium FishMultiple decades; slow‑growing, late‑maturing

Bolbometopon muricatum—the bumphead parrotfish—is the world’s largest parrotfish(family Scaridae). Adults have a distinctive fo···

Japanese Red Stingray (Hemitrygon akajei｜syn. Dasyatis akajei)

Hemitrygon akajei (syn. Dasyatis akajei)

Medium FishApprox. 15–20 years (estimated)

The Japanese red stingray (Hemitrygon akajei; historically Dasyatis akajei) is a coastaldasyatid common in the northwestern Pacifi···

Pleuronectiformes (Flatfishes · Order Overview)

Pleuronectiformes

Medium Fish5–20 years; longer in large cold‑water taxa

Pleuronectiformes—the flatfishes (flounders, soles, turbots, halibuts)—are defined byeye migration during metamorphosis. Larvae ···

Exocoetus volitans

Medium FishTypically 2–5 years

Exocoetus volitans—a widespread flyingfish of the family Exocoetidae—is among the mostcommon oceanic species globally. Its great···

Barracudas

Sphyraena

Medium Fish10–14 years (species‑dependent)

Sphyraena—the barracudas—belongs to the family Sphyraenidae.They are iconic fast predators with elongate bodies, a huge gape and···

Echidna nebulosa (Snowflake Moray)｜syn. Muraena pardalis

Echidna nebulosa (syn. Muraena pardalis)

Medium FishApprox. 10–20 years

Echidna nebulosa—the snowflake moray—is a crushing‑toothed muraenid specialised for crustaceans.It appears in older literature ···

Sea Snakes (Group Overview)

Hydrophiinae / Laticaudinae (Elapidae)

SquamataSeveral to 10+ years

Sea snakes are marine elapids comprising two main groups: the true sea snakes (Hydrophiinae, mostlyfully marine and viviparous) an···

Groupers

Epinephelus sp.

Medium FishOften 10–40+ years

Epinephelus is a genus of serranid groupers—iconic benthic ambush predators of tropical and subtropical seas.Most species inhabit···

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata

TestudinesEstimated 30–50+ years

Eretmochelys imbricata—the hawksbill sea turtle—is recognised by its sharp, hawk‑like beak andoverlapping (imbricated) carapace···

Linckia laevigata (Blue Sea Star)

Linckia laevigata

EchinodermataSeveral years (environment‑dependent)

Linckia laevigata—the blue sea star—is an ophidiasterid asteroid conspicuous on tropical Indo‑Pacific reefs.It is best known fo···

Crown‑of‑thorns Starfish

Acanthaster planci

EchinodermataAbout 3–8 years

Acanthaster planci—the crown‑of‑thorns starfish (COTS)—is a major coral predator on Indo‑Pacific reefs(family Acanthasteridae···

Echinoidea (Sea Urchins · Overview)

Echinoidea

EchinodermataTypically 3–30 years; some >100 years

Echinoidea—the class of sea urchins, sand dollars and heart urchins—belongs to the phylum Echinodermata.Their test comprises int···

Giant Clam

Tridacna gigas

MolluscaCan exceed 100 years

Tridacna gigas—the giant clam—is a flagship bivalve of family Tridacnidae.Its mantle hosts zooxanthellae for photosynthesis whil···

Nautiloidea (Subclass · Overview)

Nautiloidea

MolluscaAbout 10–20+ years

Nautiloidea is an ancient subclass of cephalopods. Today only a handful of living species remain—notably Nautilus and Allonautilu···

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