72% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, but most people can name only a few aquatic species. Life underwater is immensely diverse, with many beautiful and unusual creatures. Here are some of the most unique creatures found in the oceans, rivers, and lakes of the world.
1. Harlequin Shrimp
Photo by Nemo's Great Uncle. More information about harlequin shrimp here.
2. Dumbo Octopus
Photo Source. More information here.
3. Christmas Tree Worm
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Learn more here.
4. Chambered Nautilus
Photo by Pandiyan. More info here.
5. Whale Shark
Photo by tolithe. Learn more here.
6. Goosefish
Photo by Andwat. All about goosefish here.
7. Nudibranch (Chromodoris kuniei)
Photo by Boogies with Fish. Surprising wealth of information here.
8. Port Jackson Shark
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Find out what those weird mouths are for here.
9. Coelocanth
Photo from the Coelocanth Rescue Mission, which also has an enormous amount of information on these "dinosaur fish."
10. Giant Clam
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Giant clam info here.
11. Giant Cuttlefish
Photo by Douga. Giant cuttlefish information here. This one is greeting the photographer in Cuttlefish sign language.
12. Hairy Red Hermit Crab
Photo copyright (c) Robert Ling. Literally named crab's name is literal-- more here.
13. Blobfish
Photo by Mralan (maybe, since 15 or so people have posted it on Flickr). Sadly, this is either an ex-blobfish or in danger of soon becoming so; however, you can still read about it here.
14. Striped Pyjamas Squid
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. This cute little fellow isn't technically a squid, despite the name-- more info here.
15. Vampire Squid From Hell
That's the literal translation of this toothy critter's Latin name. Source and information.
16. Banded Sea Krait
Photo by Boogies with Fish. More information here.
17. Basking Shark
Photo by Kernosweb. Basking shark information here.
18. Giant Isopod
Photo by Coda. Giant Isopod info here.
19. Antarctic Octopus
Source and more information
20. Dog-Faced Puffer
Photo by Terong. More about Dog-Faced Puffers here.
21. Mantis Shrimp
Photo by Boogies with Fish. Beware: this little shrimp packs a punch, and can even punch its way out of a glass tank! More here.
22. Broad Barred Toad Fish
Photo by Nemo's Great Uncle. More information here.
23. Papuan Scorpionfish
Photo by Boogies with Fish. More scorpionfish info here.
24. Monkfish
Photo by Xoto. More monkfish here.
25. Bohadschia argus
Photo by Boogies with Fish. More info here, mind you don't slip on the squirting intestines.
26. Penguin Wing Oyster
Photo by Boogies with Fish. There's not much information on these guys (but lots of shells for sale) online, but here's a link anyway.
27. Bennet's hypselodoris
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Aren't they adorable? More info here.
28. Soft Shell Turtle
Photo by Vicki is Nature. Find out more here.
29. Spotted Sweetlips
Photo by Boogies with Fish. Yes, that's really its name, and yes you can has for your aquarium: See here.
30. Promachoteuthis sulcus Squid
No, seriously, that thing is real. Photo source and information.
31. Green Moray
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Obligatory "that's... a moray!" lyric here. Moray information here.
32. Star Puffer
Photo by Boogies with Fish. Information on star puffers here.
33. Bicolor Parrotfish
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Information here.
34. Fiddler Ray
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Fiddle with some rays here.
35. Orange Sun Coral
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Find out more here.
36. Ornate Wobbegong
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. No, it doesn't live in Lake Wobegon. Information here.
37. Passion Flower Feather Star
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. More information here. I call dibs on marketing a perfume named after this Crinoid.
38. Serpent Pteraeolidia
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. More sluggish info here.
39. Mosaic Leatherjacket
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Information can be found here.
40. Weedy Sea Dragon
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Learn more about Weedy Sea Dragons here.
41. Striped Anglerfish
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Learn about this fishie here.
42. Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
Photo copyright (c) Richard Ling. Cleaner shrimp info here. Dirtier shrimp info, you'll have to Google for yourself.
Related:
44 Little-Known, Critically Endangered Species
Say "Ahhh!" 35 Animals Show Off Their Pearly Whites
Thanks to Robert Ling and Boogies with Fish for making their enormous collections of underwater photos Creative Commons licensed!
Filed under: animals, lists, photos, pics, top 10, nudibrach, top 42, invertebrate, photography, underwater, crustacean, cephalopod, fish, top 40, ocean, shark, sea, eel
