The Americas
From the Amazon's blackwater basins to Caribbean reefs — the Americas hold the most popular freshwater biotopes and a wealth of Atlantic and Pacific saltwater life.
249 species · saltwater
Sub-regions
Low-relief Lettuce Coral
CoralAgaricia humilis
A low-profile Atlantic coral that thrives where light and flow are gentle.
Lowridge Cactus Coral
CoralMycetophyllia danaana
A plate-forming brain coral with winding valleys in soft pinks and greens.
Many-spined Cowfish
FishLactoria diaphana
A boxy, horned oddity that roams reefs and mudflats across the entire Indo-Pacific.
Massive Starlet Coral
CoralSiderastrea siderea
A boulder-forming reef coral that builds colonies wider than you are tall.
Mat Zoanthid
CoralZoanthus pulchellus
A hardy Western Atlantic zoanthid that forms colorful, spreading mats on the reef.
Maze Coral
CoralMeandrina jacksoni
A rare Atlantic maze coral with a very limited Caribbean range.
Mexican Barnacle Blenny
FishAcanthemblemaria macrospilus
A pint-sized reef blenny that claims abandoned barnacle shells as its castle.
Molly Miller
FishScartella cristata
A tidepool blenny with a wild mohawk and an appetite for algae.
Moorish Idol
FishZanclus canescens
Iconic reef wanderer with a dramatic look that rarely thrives in captivity.
Mountainous Star Coral
CoralOrbicella annularis
A reef-building powerhouse that forms the backbone of Caribbean coral ecosystems.
Mustard Hill Coral
CoralPorites astreoides
A tough Western Atlantic reef builder that keeps its polyps out around the clock.
Naso Tang
FishNaso lituratus
A wide-ranging Pacific grazer that needs serious space to thrive.
Nassarius Snail
InvertNassarius vibex
A tireless sand-sifting scavenger that keeps reef substrate clean and aerated.
Neon Goby
FishGobiosoma oceanops
A tiny reef cleaner that punches way above its weight.
Neon Goby
FishElacatinus oceanops
A tiny cleaner fish that runs its own reef spa service.
Nodding Plexaurella
CoralPlexaurella nutans
A tall, branching sea rod that sways gently in moderate reef currents.
Orange Ball Anemone
CoralPseudocorynactis caribbeorum
A nocturnal Caribbean predator with sticky orange-tipped tentacles that can snag small fish.
Orange Cup Coral
CoralBalanophyllia (Balanophyllia) elegans
A vivid cold-water coral that thrives in the shade where most corals fail.
Orange Encrusting Anemone
CoralEpizoanthus scotinus
A cold-water Pacific zoanthid that brings bold orange color to cooler reef tanks.
Pacific Flowerbud Coral
CoralAnthothela pacifica
A temperate Pacific softcoral that brings cold-water character to the reef tank.
Paper Scorpionfish
FishTaenianotus triacanthus
A reef ambush predator that spends its days pretending to be a dead leaf.
Peacock Razorfish
FishIniistius pavo
A reef acrobat that vanishes into the sand at the first sign of trouble.
Peppermint Shrimp
InvertLysmata wurdemanni
The reef cleaner that actually eats pest aiptasia anemones.
Peppermint Shrimp
InvertLysmata boggessi
The reef cleanup crew member that actually eats pest anemones.
Pillar Coral
CoralDendrogyra cylindrus
Rare columns of living coral that keep their tentacles out around the clock.
Pinnate Spiny Sea Fan
CoralMuricea pendula
A feathery Atlantic sea fan built for strong currents and deep, dim water.
Plain Cardinalfish
FishApogon atricaudus
A secretive Pacific reef cardinalfish that comes alive after dark.
Pointed Pencil Coral
CoralMadracis asperula
A rarely kept azooxanthellate coral that thrives in flow, not light.
Porcupinefish
FishDiodon holacanthus
A curious, spiny puffer that can devour your cleanup crew without a second thought.
Porous False Plexaura
CoralPseudoplexaura porosa
A tall, branching gorgonian that brings reef structure and motion to larger tanks.
Purple Chromis
FishChromis scotti
A peaceful, deep-water reef dweller with rich violet hues for community tanks.
Queen Angelfish
FishHolacanthus ciliaris
A regal Atlantic giant that demands space and earns every inch of it.
Queen Conch
InvertStrombus gigas
A gentle giant of the Caribbean, grazing its way across sandy reef flats.
Rathbun's Dwarf Cup Coral
CoralAstrangia rathbuni
A small Western Atlantic coral with CITES-protected status and genuine reef credentials.
Red Soft Coral
CoralGersemia rubiformis
A cold-water soft coral that brings vivid color to temperate reef tanks.
Red Tree Coral
CoralPrimnoa pacifica
A cold-water Pacific gorgonian that brings dramatic branching structure to the display tank.