Species library
Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.
Pacific Electric Ray
Tetronarce californica
The Pacific Electric Ray is the ocean's silent powerhouse, a master of ambush that uses bio-electricity to stun its p...
Fish
Pacific Gregory
Plectroglyphidodon fasciolatus
Meet the feisty gardener of the reef. The Pacific Gregory is a small damselfish with a massive personality, known for...
Fish
Pacific Herring
Clupea pallasii
The silver pulse of the Pacific coast, these shimmering voyagers are the foundation of the marine ecosystem. Witness ...
Fish
Pacific Jack Mackerel
Trachurus symmetricus
The silver streak of the West Coast, the Pacific Jack Mackerel is a marvel of aquatic engineering. Known for their in...
Fish
Pacific Lamprey
Entosphenus tridentatus
A prehistoric survivor of the Pacific Rim, the Pacific Lamprey is a 'living fossil' that has navigated our waterways ...
Fish
Pacific Needlefish
Tylosurus pacificus
A silver arrow of the Eastern Pacific, the Pacific Needlefish is a master of the surface strike. With its needle-thin...
Fish
Pacific Sardine
Sardinops sagax
Experience the mesmerizing dance of the ocean’s silver nomads. From massive bait balls to shimmering coastal schools,...
Fish
Pacific Sleeper Shark
Somniosus pacificus
Meet the ghost of the abyss, a massive deep-sea predator that thrives in the freezing darkness of the North Pacific. ...
Fish
Pacific Trumpetfish
Aulostomus chinensis
The ultimate reef ninja, the Pacific Trumpetfish uses vertical camouflage and 'shadowing' techniques to become invisi...
Fish
Painted Anglerfish
Chaunax pictus
Meet the Atlantic's 'walking' deep-sea resident, a rosy-hued master of disguise that fishes for its own dinner. With ...
Fish
Painted Frogfish
Antennarius pictus
A master of disguise and the ultimate ambush predator, the Painted Frogfish transforms the reef into its personal hun...
Fish
Panamic Sergeant Major
Abudefduf troschelii
A bold and beautiful resident of the Eastern Pacific, the Panamic Sergeant Major brings vibrant stripes and spirited ...
Fish
Peacock Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus temminckii
A shimmering jewel of the Indo-Pacific reefs, the Peacock Wrasse is famous for its electric 'flashing' displays. Disc...
Fish
Peppered Moray
Gymnothorax pictus
A master of the shallows, the Peppered Moray is one of the few eels brave enough to hunt at the water's edge, easily ...
Fish
Permit
Trachinotus falcatus
The ghost of the flats, the Permit is a master of camouflage and speed. Watch for the flash of silver and the iconic ...
Fish
Pigfish
Orthopristis chrysoptera
Famous for the 'grunt' that gives them their name, the Pigfish is a shimmering, golden-spotted staple of Atlantic coa...
FishPikey Bream
Acanthopagrus pacificus
A powerful and resilient inhabitant of northern mangroves, the Pikey Bream is a master of the murky estuarine shadows.
Fish
Pilotfish
Naucrates ductor
The zebra-striped navigator of the deep blue. Famous for its fearless companionship with apex predators, the Pilotfis...
Fish
Pinfish
Lagodon rhomboides
The spunky and colorful Pinfish is a coastal backyard favorite, easily identified by its shimmering stripes and a sig...
Fish
Pink Whipray
Pateobatis fai
A majestic resident of tropical reefs, the Pink Whipray is easily identified by its soft pastel hues and a tail that ...
Fish
Pinkrose Rockfish
Sebastes simulator
A hidden gem of the deep Pacific, the Pinkrose Rockfish is a master of camouflage among the colorful reefs of the Cal...
Fish
Planehead Filefish
Stephanolepis hispida
A master of disguise with sandpaper skin and a 'locked' defense, the Planehead Filefish is a fascinating visitor to c...
Fish
Porbeagle
Lamna nasus
Often called the 'Wolf of the Sea,' the Porbeagle is a stout, powerful predator of cold northern waters. Known for it...
Fish
Porcupine Ray
Urogymnus asperrimus
The Porcupine Ray is the ocean’s armored tank, trading the traditional stingray barb for a spectacular coat of needle...
Fish
Port Jackson Shark
Heterodontus portusjacksoni
With its quirky 'pig-like' face and striking harness-shaped markings, the Port Jackson Shark is the gentle, rock-dwel...
Fish
Pretty Shiner
Lythrurus bellus
A hidden jewel of the Deep South's freshwater streams, the Pretty Shiner transforms from a subtle silver minnow into ...
Fish
Prickly Sculpin
Cottus asper
The Prickly Sculpin is a master of disguise, lurking on the rocky bottoms of Pacific Northwest waterways. With its 'p...
Fish
Princess Parrotfish
Scarus taeniopterus
The primary gardener of the Caribbean, the Princess Parrotfish is famous for its vibrant blue-green scales and its un...
Fish
Prussian Carp
Carassius gibelio
Meet the silver survivor of the waterway. The Prussian Carp is a master of adaptation, famous for its shimmering scal...
Fish
Puddingwife Wrasse
Halichoeres radiatus
With its shimmering iridescent scales and bold personality, the Puddingwife Wrasse is the jewel of the Atlantic reefs...
Fish
Pugnose Shiner
Miniellus anogenus
The Pugnose Shiner is a rare, shimmering resident of the underwater world, serving as a tiny sentinel for water purit...
Fish
Purple Dottyback
Pictichromis porphyrea
A vibrant splash of magenta in the Pacific reefs, the Purple Dottyback is a tiny powerhouse of color and personality.
Fish
Purple Reeffish
Chromis scotti
A hidden gem of the deep reef, the Purple Reeffish shimmers with electric neon spots and a royal violet body. This sm...
Fish
Purplemouth Moray
Gymnothorax vicinus
A master of the reef's shadows, the Purplemouth Moray is a striking nocturnal predator known for its mottled golden s...
Fish
Queen Angelfish
Holacanthus ciliaris
Widely regarded as the most stunning fish in the Atlantic, the Queen Angelfish is a master of the coral reef. With it...
Fish
Queen Parrotfish
Scarus vetula
The Queen Parrotfish is the Caribbean's most colorful reef architect, famous for its vibrant blue scales and its abil...
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