Aquatic animals are living creatures that spend most or all of their life in water. These animals breathe, move, and survive in seas, oceans, rivers, and lakes. Learning aquatic animal names in English helps English learners talk about nature, the environment, and animal life more confidently. In this lesson, you will easily understand what aquatic animals are and see examples with short explanations.
What Are Aquatic Animals?
Aquatic animals are animals that live in water instead of on land. They can be found in freshwater (like rivers and lakes) or saltwater (like oceans and seas). Some live underwater all the time, while others come to the surface to breathe.
- Fish live completely in water and breathe through gills.
- Whales and dolphins live in water but breathe through lungs.
- Frogs can live both in water and on land.
These animals are important for the balance of nature and help keep the water world healthy.
Types of Aquatic Animals
| Type | Information | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Animals | Live in rivers, lakes, and ponds. | Catfish, Trout, Frog |
| Saltwater Animals | Live in seas and oceans. | Shark, Octopus, Jellyfish |
| Amphibians | Live both in water and on land. | Frog, Salamander |
| Marine Mammals | Warm-blooded and breathe air. | Whale, Dolphin, Seal |
1. Freshwater Animals
Trout
Trout are freshwater fish that live in cold rivers and lakes. They are strong swimmers and are often caught for food and sport.
Catfish
Catfish have smooth, scale-less skin and whisker-like feelers. They live at the bottom of rivers and eat insects, plants, and small fish.
Carp
Carp are hardy freshwater fish that can survive in dirty water. They are popular for fishing and also kept in ponds.
Frog
Frogs live both in water and on land. They have strong legs for jumping and lay eggs in ponds and lakes.
Goldfish
Goldfish are small freshwater fish often kept as pets. They live in aquariums and need clean water and oxygen to survive.
2. Saltwater Animals
Shark
Sharks are large saltwater fish with sharp teeth. They are top predators of the ocean and help keep marine life in balance.
Octopus
The octopus has eight flexible arms and high intelligence. It can change colour and shape to hide from predators under the sea.
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are soft, umbrella-shaped sea animals. They float with ocean currents and use stinging tentacles to catch food and protect themselves.
Tuna
Tuna are fast-swimming saltwater fish found in warm seas. They are an important food source and travel long distances while migrating.
Crab
Crabs have hard shells and walk sideways. They live on the sea floor and use claws to eat plants and small sea creatures.
3. Amphibians
Toad
Toads are land-living amphibians with dry, bumpy skin. They return to water only to lay eggs and eat insects at night.
Salamander
Salamanders have long bodies and tails. They live in moist places and can regrow lost limbs, which helps them survive injuries.
Axolotl
Axolotls are unique amphibians that live fully underwater. They are famous for their ability to regrow organs and body parts.
Newt
Newts look like small lizards but live in both water and on land. They eat insects, worms, and tiny aquatic animals.
Frog
Frogs breathe through their skin and lungs. They are found worldwide and are an important part of the natural food chain.
Marine Mammals
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth. It lives in oceans and feeds mainly on krill, a tiny shrimp-like sea creature.
Dolphin
Dolphins are intelligent, playful mammals that live in groups. They communicate through sounds and help protect humans and other sea life.
Seal
Seals have smooth bodies and flippers for swimming. They spend time on ice or beaches and eat fish and squid.
Walrus
Walruses are large sea mammals with long tusks. They live in cold Arctic waters and use tusks to climb ice and defend themselves.
Orca (Killer Whale)
Orcas are strong, black-and-white marine mammals. They hunt in groups and are known as the top predators of the ocean.
30 Popular Aquatic Animals Names
Here’s a list of the 30 most common aquatic animals names and their pictures:
- Fish
- Shark
- Dolphin
- Whale
- Octopus
- Crab
- Lobster
- Jellyfish
- Turtle
- Starfish
- Seahorse
- Seal
- Walrus
- Penguin
- Stingray
- Squid
- Clownfish
- Blue Whale
- Pufferfish
- Sea Lion
- Sea Otter
- Manatee
- Coral
- Eel
- Sea Urchin
- Sea Snake
- Sea Cucumber
- Manta Ray
- Frog
- Catfish
100+ A to Z Aquatic Animals List
| A Animals | B Animals | C Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | Blue Whale | Crab |
| Anchovy | Barracuda | Clownfish |
| Anemone | Beluga Whale | Catfish |
| Abalone | Bass | Clam |
| Archerfish | Boxfish | Coral |
| Axolotl | Blue Tang | Crocodile |
| D Animals | E Animals | F Animals |
| Dolphin | Eel | Frog |
| Dugong | Electric Ray | Flounder |
| Damselfish | Emperor Angelfish | Fish |
| Dogfish | Elephant Seal | Flatfish |
| Dragonet | Emerald Crab | Firefish |
| Dory | Estuarine Crocodile | Flying Fish |
| G Animals | H Animals | I Animals |
| Goldfish | Hammerhead Shark | Irukandji Jellyfish |
| Grouper | Humpback Whale | Icefish |
| Garfish | Haddock | Isopod |
| Giant Clam | Hermit Crab | Indian Mackerel |
| Green Turtle | Horse Mackerel | Ivory Coral |
| Goby | Halibut | Inchworm Fish |
| J Animals | K Animals | L Animals |
| Jellyfish | Killer Whale (Orca) | Lobster |
| Jackfish | King Crab | Lionfish |
| Jack Mackerel | Krill | Lamprey |
| Japanese Spider Crab | Koi Fish | Leafy Sea Dragon |
| Jellynose Fish | Knife Fish | Limpet |
| Jawfish | Kingfish | Lingcod |
| M Animals | N Animals | O Animals |
| Manta Ray | Narwhal | Octopus |
| Manatee | Nautilus | Oyster |
| Mackerel | Needlefish | Otter |
| Mollusk | Nurse Shark | Ocean Sunfish |
| Moray Eel | Nudibranch | Oarfish |
| Mussel | Noodlefish | Olive Sea Snake |
| P Animals | Q Animals | R Animals |
| Penguin | Queen Angelfish | Ray |
| Pufferfish | Quahog | Red Snapper |
| Parrotfish | Queen Triggerfish | Remora |
| Pike | Quokka (marine type) | Rockfish |
| Plankton | Quillfish | Ribbon Eel |
| Prawn | Quaker Fish | Rudd |
| S Animals | T Animals | U Animals |
| Shark | Turtle | Urchin |
| Seahorse | Tuna | Umbrella Squid |
| Squid | Trout | Unicornfish |
| Starfish | Tang | Upside-down Catfish |
| Stingray | Tarpon | Uaru Fish |
| Seal | Tilapia | Undulate Ray |
| V Animals | W Animals | X Animals |
| Viperfish | Whale | Xiphias (Swordfish) |
| Velvet Crab | Walrus | X-ray Tetra |
| Vampire Squid | Wahoo | Xantus’s Goby |
| Velella | Wrasse | Xenocouste Fish |
| Vermilion Snapper | Wobbegong Shark | Xenopterus |
| Viper Moray | Weedy Sea Dragon | Xingu River Ray |
| Y Animals | Â | Z Animals |
| Yellow Tang | Â | Zebra Shark |
| Yellowfin Tuna | Â | Zooplankton |
| Yellowtail Snapper | Â | Zander |
| Yabby | Â | Zebrafish |
| Yeti Crab | Â | Zebra Moray |
| Yellowtail Clownfish | Â | Zebra Mussel |
Facts about Aquatic Animals
- Most aquatic animals breathe through gills or skin.
- They are an important part of the food chain.
- Some aquatic animals can glow in the dark (like jellyfish).
- Aquatic mammals such as whales and dolphins nurse their young.
FAQs about Aquatic Animals
What are aquatic animals?
Aquatic animals are living creatures that spend most or all of their lives in water, such as fish, whales, dolphins, frogs, and turtles.
What are examples of aquatic animals?
Common examples of aquatic animals include shark, dolphin, whale, octopus, crab, jellyfish, starfish, seahorse, turtle, and seal.
How many types of aquatic animals are there?
There are mainly four types of aquatic animals — freshwater animals, saltwater animals, amphibians, and marine mammals.
Which aquatic animal lives in both water and on land?
Frogs, toads, and salamanders are amphibians that live both in water and on land during different stages of their life.
What is the biggest aquatic animal in the world?
The Blue Whale is the largest aquatic animal and also the biggest creature on Earth, reaching up to 30 metres in length.
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