Species library
Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.
Smallscale Fat Snook
Centropomus parallelus
A deep-bodied master of disguise, the Smallscale Fat Snook lurks within the shadows of mangrove roots and dock piling...
Fish
Smallscale Scorpionfish
Scorpaenopsis oxycephala
A silent master of the reef, the Smallscale Scorpionfish uses incredible camouflage to disappear into plain sight. Fi...
Fish
Smalltooth Emperor
Lethrinus microdon
Meet the 'Pigface Bream' of the Indo-Pacific—a long-snouted specialist of the reef floor. The Smalltooth Emperor is a...
Fish
Smalltooth Sawfish
Pristis pectinata
A prehistoric wonder of the shallows, the Smalltooth Sawfish is easily recognized by its incredible tooth-lined rostr...
Fish
Smooth Anglerfish
Histiophryne bougainvilli
The Smooth Anglerfish is a cryptic wonder of the Australian coast, 'walking' across the seafloor with hand-like fins ...
Fish
Smooth Trunkfish
Lactophrys triqueter
With its boxy frame and polka-dot pattern, the Smooth Trunkfish is the ocean's most charming 'stinkpot.' This triangu...
Fish
Snake Blenny
Xiphasia setifer
Meet the ocean's ribbon-dancer. The Snake Blenny is an extraordinary, eel-like fish that spends its days peeking from...
Fish
Snowflake Moray
Echidna nebulosa
With its striking star-patterned skin and curious personality, the Snowflake Moray is a favorite find for coastal exp...
Fish
Snubnose Garfish
Arrhamphus sclerolepis
A shimmering surface-dweller of the Indo-Pacific, the Snubnose Garfish is a master of adaptation, equally at home in ...
Fish
Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka
Witness one of nature's most spectacular migrations right in your local waterways. The Sockeye Salmon's dramatic tran...
Fish
South Seas Demoiselle
Chrysiptera taupou
The South Seas Demoiselle is a tiny bolt of sapphire lightning that brings a splash of neon color to the western Paci...
Fish
Southern Eagle Ray
Myliobatis tenuicaudata
Witness the 'birds of the sea' as they glide effortlessly through coastal shallows. With their shimmering blue-spotte...
Fish
Southern Fiddler
Trygonorrhina dumerilii
The Southern Fiddler Ray is the ornate 'Banjo Shark' of Australia's southern coast, known for its intricate patterns ...
Fish
Southern Garfish
Hyporhamphus melanochir
The Southern Garfish is a shimmering, acrobatic resident of southern coastal waters, instantly recognizable by its un...
Fish
Southern Redbelly Dace
Chrosomus erythrogaster
A hidden gem of North American waterways, the Southern Redbelly Dace is famous for its neon-like stripes and the male...
Fish
Southern Stingray
Hypanus americanus
The Southern Stingray is a master of camouflage, gliding through sun-drenched shallows and sandy flats with effortles...
Fish
Spangled Emperor
Lethrinus nebulosus
With a body draped in shimmering blue 'spangles' and a regal presence on the reef, the Spangled Emperor is one of the...
Fish
Spanish Hogfish
Bodianus rufus
With its stunning purple-and-gold coat, the Spanish Hogfish is the undisputed jewel of the Western Atlantic reefs. Wh...
Fish
Speckled Carpetshark
Hemiscyllium trispeculare
The Speckled Carpetshark is the ocean's most charismatic pedestrian, a tiny predator that walks across the reef on it...
Fish
Speckled Dace
Rhinichthys osculus
The ultimate survivor of Western waters, the Speckled Dace is a master of adaptation found everywhere from desert spr...
Fish
Speckled rockfish
Sebastes ovalis
A master of the deep-water reefs, the Speckled rockfish is easily identified by the thousands of tiny dark spots that...
Fish
Spectacled Triplefin
Ruanoho whero
Meet the tiny sentinel of New Zealand's rocky reefs. With its distinctive blue-lined face and 'spectacled' eyes, the ...
Fish
Spinetail Devil Ray
Mobula mobular
The Spinetail Devil Ray is a breathtaking ocean acrobat, known for its massive wingspan and its habit of leaping high...
Fish
Spinner Shark
Carcharhinus brevipinna
Meet the ocean's most acrobatic hunter. The Spinner Shark is famous for its high-speed vertical leaps and spiraling a...
Fish
Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
The ocean's most sophisticated traveler, the Spiny Dogfish is a master of the deep. Recognizable by its white-spotted...
Fish
Spoonhead Sculpin
Cottus ricei
The Spoonhead Sculpin is a master of the northern depths, sporting a uniquely flattened head and a coat of sharp pric...
Fish
Spotfin Butterflyfish
Chaetodon ocellatus
A masterpiece of Caribbean color, the Spotfin Butterflyfish is easily identified by its sun-yellow fins and its cleve...
Fish
Spotfin Croaker
Roncador stearnsii
A powerful swimmer of the Pacific surf, the Spotfin Croaker is a coastal icon known for its metallic sheen and the di...
Fish
Spotfin Hogfish
Bodianus pulchellus
A vibrant jewel of the Atlantic reefs, the Spotfin Hogfish stands out with its stunning red-and-yellow gradient and a...
Fish
Spotfin Squirrelfish
Neoniphon sammara
A shimmering sentinel of the Indo-Pacific reefs, the Spotfin Squirrelfish is a master of the night, easily identified...
Fish
Spottail Seabream
Diplodus holbrookii
Meet the "pinfish with a spot," a shimmering coastal regular that brings life to every pier and jetty. With its curio...
Fish
Spottail Shiner
Hudsonius hudsonius
The Spottail Shiner is a shimmering sentinel of our freshwater shores, recognized by the bold black 'thumbprint' at t...
Fish
Spotted Eagle Ray
Aetobatus narinari
The Spotted Eagle Ray is the undisputed 'bird of the sea,' famous for its stunning white-spotted pattern and the way ...
Fish
Spotted Moray
Gymnothorax moringa
With its stunning 'leopard' spots and piercing gaze, the Spotted Moray is a master of the Atlantic's rocky shadows. T...
Fish
Spotted Ribbonfish
Desmodema polystictum
A shimmering, silver phantom of the deep, the Spotted Ribbonfish is a rare marvel known for its polka-dot patterns an...
Fish
Spotted Sand Bass
Paralabrax maculatofasciatus
The undisputed king of the coastal bay, the Spotted Sand Bass is a master of camouflage and a favorite for underwater...
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