Species library

Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.

469–504 of 764 species

Pacific Electric Ray

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pacific Trumpetfish

Aulostomus chinensis

The ultimate reef ninja, the Pacific Trumpetfish uses vertical camouflage and 'shadowing' techniques to become invisi...

Fish
Painted Anglerfish

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pigfish

Orthopristis chrysoptera

Famous for the 'grunt' that gives them their name, the Pigfish is a shimmering, golden-spotted staple of Atlantic coa...

Fish
Pikey Bream

Pikey Bream

Acanthopagrus pacificus

A powerful and resilient inhabitant of northern mangroves, the Pikey Bream is a master of the murky estuarine shadows.

Fish
Pilotfish

Pilotfish

Naucrates ductor

The zebra-striped navigator of the deep blue. Famous for its fearless companionship with apex predators, the Pilotfis...

Fish
Pinfish

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Queen Parrotfish

Scarus vetula

The Queen Parrotfish is the Caribbean's most colorful reef architect, famous for its vibrant blue scales and its abil...

Fish

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