List of marine animals of Australia (temperate waters) facts for kids

This article is a guide to the amazing marine animals that live in the cooler waters around Australia. This includes the coasts of South Australia and Tasmania, and the southern parts of Western Australia (south of Perth, Western Australia) and New South Wales (south of the border with Queensland). You'll find creatures that spend their whole lives in the ocean, or those that rely on the sea for important parts of their lives.

We'll focus on animals you can usually see with your own eyes. There are also tiny, microscopic animals in these waters, but they aren't included here. The places mentioned for each animal are where they are found in Australian waters. If an animal is called endemic, it means it's only found in that specific area. Other animals might live in much wider parts of the world!

Sponges (Phylum Porifera)

Sponges are simple animals that live attached to the seafloor. They filter water to get their food. They come in many shapes and colours!

Here are a few examples of sponges found in Australia's temperate waters:

• Ancorina geodides (Golfball sponge): A grey, round sponge found in Victoria and around Tasmania.
• Aplysina lendenfeldi (Lendenfeld's tube sponge): A tube-shaped sponge found from Victoria to central New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Chondrilla australiensis (Liver sponge): This sponge looks like a liver and lives from Western Australia to Sydney, New South Wales.
• Clathria (Thalysias) cactiformis (Orange palm sponge): An orange, palm-shaped sponge found widely across Australia's coasts.
• Tethya bergquistae (Southern golfball sponge): Another golfball-shaped sponge, found in South Australia, Victoria, northern Tasmania, and New Zealand.

Many other types of sponges also live in these waters, adding to the ocean's colourful habitats.

Jellyfish and Corals (Phylum Cnidaria)

This group includes jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones. They all have stinging cells to catch food.

Hydroids (Class Hydrozoa)

Hydroids are often mistaken for plants, but they are tiny animals that can form colonies. Some hydroids are like small, feathery structures, while others are free-floating jellyfish.

Feathery Hydroids (Order Hydroida)

• Gymnangium superbum (Superb feather hydroid): Found from southern Western Australia to Victoria and around Tasmania.
• Halopteris campanula (Yellow feather hydroid): A common hydroid found all around Australia and in many other parts of the world.
• Ralpharia magnifica (Magnificent hydroid): A beautiful hydroid found from South Australia to Victoria and around Tasmania.
• Velella velella (By-the-wind-sailor): This hydroid floats on the surface, using a "sail" to catch the wind. It's found all around Australia and worldwide.

Jellyfish-like Hydroids (Order Limnomedusae)

• Olindias phosphorica (Phosphorus jelly): A glowing jellyfish found in tropical Australia, extending south to Western Australia and New South Wales.

Siphonophores (Order Siphonophora)

• Physalia physalis (Bluebottle, Portuguese man o' war): This well-known creature is actually a colony of many tiny animals working together. It has a distinctive blue float and long stinging tentacles. It's found all around Australia and worldwide.

Hydrocorals (Order Stylasterina)

These are coral-like creatures, but they are hydroids, not true corals.

• Stylaster sp. (Western pink hydrocoral): A pink, branching hydrocoral found in southwestern Western Australia.

Sea Anemones and Corals (Class Anthozoa)

This group includes sea anemones, stony corals, and soft corals. They are usually attached to the seafloor and have tentacles.

Sea Anemones (Order Actiniaria)

• Actinia tenebrosa (Waratah anemone): A common, dark red anemone found from Western Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania. It looks like a waratah flower.
• Aulactinia veratra (Green anemone): A green anemone found from Western Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania.
• Phlyctenactis tuberculosa (Swimming anemone): This unique anemone can detach and "swim" by contracting its body. It's found from southwestern Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Jewel Anemones (Order Corallimorpharia)

• Corynactis australis (Southern jewel anemone): These anemones often form colourful carpets on rocks, found from Victoria to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Zoanthids (Order Zoanthiniaria)

Zoanthids are small, colonial polyps that often grow in mats.

• Epizoanthus sabulosus (Encrusting grey zoanthid): A grey zoanthid that grows in crusts, found from Western Australia to Victoria and Tasmania.

Stony Corals (Order Scleractinia)

These corals build hard, stony skeletons, forming reefs in warmer waters, but also found in temperate zones.

• Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) bairdiana (Orange solitary coral): A single, orange coral polyp found from Victoria to Queensland and around Tasmania.
• Culicia tenella (Little coral): A small coral found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Plesiastrea versipora (Green coral): A common green coral found all around Australia and in many other parts of the world.

Tube Anemones (Order Ceriantharia)

These anemones live in long, soft tubes buried in the sand or mud.

• Pachycerianthus sp. (Purple-tipped tube anemone): Found in southwestern Western Australia.

Black Corals (Order Antipatheria)

Black corals are deep-water corals that form tree-like structures.

• Antipathes sp. (Lord Howe black coral): Found near Lord Howe Island.

Soft Corals and Sea Whips (Order Alcyonacea)

These corals do not have hard skeletons but are flexible and often colourful.

• Capnella erecta (Erect soft coral): A soft coral that grows upright, found from South Australia to Victoria and around Tasmania.
• Melithaea klunzingeri (Klunzinger's sea fan): A beautiful sea fan found from Western Australia to Victoria.
• Primnoella australasiae (Southern sea whip): A long, whip-like coral found from South Australia to Sydney, New South Wales, and around Tasmania.
• Sphaerokodisis australis (Southern sea fan): A fan-shaped coral found off the coast of New South Wales.

Sea Pens (Order Pennatulacea)

Sea pens look like old-fashioned quill pens and live in soft sediments.

• Sarcoptilus grandis (Great sea pen): A large sea pen found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Jellyfish (Class Scyphozoa)

These are the true jellyfish, with bell-shaped bodies and trailing tentacles.

Scallop-Margined Jellies (Order Semaeostomeae)

• Aurelia aurita (Moon jelly): A very common, clear jellyfish found worldwide, including around Australia.
• Cyanea annaskala (Lion's mane jelly): A large jellyfish with many long tentacles, found in Victoria and around Tasmania.
• Pelagia noctiluca (Purple-streaked jelly): A beautiful jellyfish with purple streaks, found all around Australia.

Lobed Jellies (Order Rhizostomeae)

• Catostylus mosaicus (Mosaic jelly, jelly blubber): A common jellyfish with a lumpy bell, found from Victoria to Queensland.
• Phyllorhiza punctata (White-spotted jelly): A tropical jellyfish that sometimes drifts into temperate waters, known for its white spots.

Box Jellies (Class Cubozoa)

Box jellies have cube-shaped bells and are known for their strong stings.

• Carybdea rastoni (Southern jimble): A small box jelly found from southern Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania.

Comb Jellies (Phylum Ctenophora)

Comb jellies are not true jellyfish, but they are also gelatinous and float in the water. They move using tiny comb-like plates that shimmer with rainbow colours.

• Beroe cucumis (Cardinal's hat): A comb jelly shaped like a cardinal's hat, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Leucothea sp. (Southern comb jelly): Found from Victoria to central New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Flatworms (Phylum Platyhelminthes)

These are simple, often colourful, flat-bodied worms.

• Callioplana marginata (Orange-margined flatworm): A flatworm with orange edges, found in tropical Australia, extending south to New South Wales.
• Pseudoceros lividus (Blue flatworm): A striking blue flatworm found in South Australia.

Segmented Worms (Phylum Annelida)

This phylum includes many types of worms, some of which live in the ocean.

Bristle Worms (Class Polychaeta)

Polychaetes are marine worms with segments and bristles.

• Eunice laticeps (Iridescent biting worm): A worm with a beautiful iridescent sheen, found from South Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Sabellastarte australiensis (Southern fanworm): A worm that lives in a tube and extends a beautiful fan-like structure to filter food. Found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

• Sabella spallanzani (Giant fanworm): A large, invasive fanworm found from Western Australia to Victoria.
• Galeolaria caespitosa (Sydney coral worm): These worms build hard, white tubes that can form large colonies, found from Western Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania.

Peanut Worms (Phylum Sipuncula)

Peanut worms are unsegmented worms that can retract their front part, making them look like a peanut.

• Phascolosoma annulatum (Ringed peanut worm): Found from South Australia to Victoria and around Tasmania.

Crabs, Shrimps, and Barnacles (Phylum Arthropoda)

This huge group includes animals with jointed legs and hard outer shells.

Sea Spiders (Class Pycnogonida)

Sea spiders are not true spiders but are marine arthropods with long legs.

• Nymphon aequidigitatum (Apricot sea spider): An apricot-coloured sea spider found from South Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Crustaceans (Subphylum Crustacea)

Barnacles (Class Cirripedia)

Barnacles are crustaceans that live attached to surfaces, filtering food from the water.

• Amphibalanus amphitrite (Striped barnacle): A common barnacle with stripes, found all around Australia and worldwide.
• Austromegabalanus nigrescens (Giant surf barnacle): A large barnacle found on rocky shores from Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania.
• Chamaesipho tasmanica (Honeycomb barnacle): Forms honeycomb-like patterns on rocks, found from South Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Lepas (Anatifa) australis (Southern goose barnacle): A stalked barnacle that attaches to floating objects, found all around Australia and in subantarctic seas.
• Tesseropora rosea (Rosy barnacle): A pinkish barnacle found from Western Australia to Queensland and Victoria.

Crabs, Lobsters, Shrimps (Class Malacostraca)

Mantis Shrimps (Order Stomatopoda)

• Belosquilla laevis (Southern mantis shrimp): A powerful shrimp known for its strong claws, found from Western Australia to Queensland.

Isopods (Order Isopoda)

Isopods are flattened crustaceans, like sea slaters.

• Ligia australiensis (Australian shore slater): A common slater found on rocky shores from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Amphipods (Order Amphipoda)

Amphipods are small, shrimp-like crustaceans.

• Ceradocus sellickensis: An amphipod found in Australian waters.
• Talorchestia sp. (Kelp amphipod): Often found among kelp, in Victoria and around Tasmania.

Krill (Order Euphausiacea)

• Nyctiphanes australis (Southern krill): Tiny, shrimp-like creatures that are a vital food source for many marine animals. Found from South Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Decapods (Order Decapoda)

This group includes prawns, lobsters, and crabs.

• Prawns and Shrimps:

* Penaeus latisulcatus (Western king prawn): A large prawn found in tropical Australia, extending south to South Australia and New South Wales. * Penaeus plebejus (Eastern king prawn): Another large prawn, found from Victoria to Queensland and Tasmania. * Rhynchocinetes serratus (Serrated hinge-back shrimp): A colourful shrimp with a distinctive hinge on its back, found in southwestern Western Australia and New South Wales.

• Rock Lobsters:

* Jasus edwardsii (Southern rock lobster): A valuable lobster found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania. * Jasus verreauxi (Eastern rock lobster): Found from South Australia to New South Wales and northeastern Tasmania.

* Panulirus cygnus (Western rock lobster): An important lobster species found off the coast of Western Australia.

• Slipper Lobsters:

* Ibacus peronii (Balmain bug): A flat, shovel-nosed lobster, popular for food, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

• Hermit Crabs:

* Paguristes frontalis (Southern hermit crab): A common hermit crab that lives in empty shells, found from Western Australia to Victoria and Tasmania.

• Porcelain Crabs:

* Petrolistes elongatus (New Zealand porcelain crab): A flat crab found in eastern Tasmania and New Zealand.

• Sponge Crabs:

* Dromia wilsoni (Wilson's sponge crab): These crabs carry sponges on their backs for camouflage, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

• Edible Crabs:

* Metacarcinus novaezelandiae (Piecrust crab): A large, edible crab found in Victoria and Tasmania.

• Pebble Crabs:

* Bellidilia laevis (Smooth pebble crab): A small, smooth crab found from Western Australia to Victoria and around Tasmania.

• Spider Crabs:

* Leptomithrax gaimardii (Giant spider crab): A large spider crab found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

• Swimming Crabs:

* Carcinus maenas (Common shore crab, green crab): An introduced species found in many parts of Australia, including Tasmania. * Ovalipes australiensis (Surf crab): A fast-swimming crab found in sandy areas from Western Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania. * Portunus pelagicus (Blue swimmer crab, blue manna crab): A popular edible crab, found around the Australian mainland.

• Stone Crabs:

* Pseudocarcinus gigas (Giant crab): One of the largest crabs in the world, found in southern Australian waters.

• Shore Crabs:

* Leptograpsus variegatus (Swift-footed crab): A common crab on rocky shores, known for its speed, found all around Australia. * Paragrapsus gaimardii (Spotted shore crab): Found from South Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

• Ghost Crabs:

* Ocypode cordimanus (Ghost crab): A fast-running crab found on sandy beaches in tropical Australia, extending south to Sydney.

• Soldier Crabs:

* Mictyris longicarpus (Banded soldier crab): These crabs march in large groups on sandy flats, found from tropical Australia south to Victoria.

* Mictyris platycheles (Southern soldier crab): Found from Victoria to Queensland and around Tasmania.

• Pea Crabs:

* Pinnotheres hickmani (Hickman's pea crab): A tiny crab that lives inside mussels or other shellfish, found all around Australia.

Snails, Slugs, and Octopuses (Phylum Mollusca)

This diverse group includes animals with soft bodies, often protected by a shell.

Chitons (Class Polyplacophora)

Chitons are marine molluscs with eight shell plates on their backs.

• Ischnochiton australis (Southern chiton): A common chiton found from South Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania.
• Plaxiphora albida (Giant chiton): A large chiton found from Western Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania.

Snails and Slugs (Class Gastropoda)

Abalone (Family Haliotidae)

Abalone are large sea snails with a flattened, ear-shaped shell.

• Haliotis laevigata (Greenlip abalone): An important commercial species, found from Western Australia to Victoria and northern Tasmania.
• Haliotis rubra (Blacklip abalone): Another important abalone species, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Haliotis scalaris (Grooved abalone): Found from Western Australia to Victoria and northern Tasmania.

Limpets (Families Fissurellidae, Patellidae, Nacellidae, Lottiidae)

Limpets are cone-shaped snails that cling tightly to rocks.

• Scutus antipodes (Elephant snail, duckbill): A large limpet with an internal shell, found all around Australia.
• Cellana tramoserica (Variegated limpet): A common limpet with varied patterns, found from Western Australia to Queensland and Tasmania.
• Patelloida alticostata (Ribbed limpet): A limpet with strong ribs on its shell, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Top Shells and Turbans (Family Trochidae)

These snails have cone-shaped or turban-shaped shells.

• Astralium aureum (Golden star shell): A beautiful shell with a star-like shape, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Austrocochlea constricta (Ribbed winkle): A common snail on rocky shores, found all around Australia.
• Phasianella australis (Pheasant shell, painted lady): A colourful snail with patterns like a pheasant's feathers, found from Western Australia to Victoria and around Tasmania.
• Turbo undulatus (Warrener, periwinkle): A common turban shell, found all around Australia.

Periwinkles (Family Littorinidae)

Small snails found on rocky shores, often high up where they are exposed to air.

• Austrolittorina unifasciata (Blue periwinkle): A very common blue-grey snail found on rocky shores all around Australia.
• Bembicium nanum (Striped conniwink): A small, striped snail found all around Australia.

Moon Snails (Family Naticidae)

Moon snails are predatory snails that drill holes into other shells to eat the soft body inside.

• Polinices conicus (Moon shell, sand snail): A smooth, round shell found all around Australia.

Cowries (Family Cypraeidae)

Cowries are known for their smooth, shiny, often colourful shells.

• Notocypraea angustata (Southern cowry): A common cowry found from South Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Zoila friendii (Black cowry): A large, dark cowry found from Western Australia to Victoria and Tasmania.

Helmet Shells (Family Cassidae)

• Semicassis pyrum (Pear helmet): A pear-shaped shell found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Tritons (Family Ranellidae)

Tritons are large predatory snails.

• Charonia lampas (Red triton): A very large, beautiful shell, found all around Australia and in many other parts of the world.

Murex Shells (Family Muricidae)

Murex shells are often spiny or knobby.

• Dicathais orbita (Cartrut shell): A common shell on rocky shores, found all around Australia.

Volutes (Family Volutidae)

Volutes are large, often beautifully patterned shells.

• Cymbiola magnifica (Magnificent volute): A large, striking volute found from Victoria to Queensland.
• Amoria undulata (Wavy volute): A common volute with wavy patterns, found all around Australia.

Olive Shells (Family Olividae)

Olive shells are smooth, shiny, and often patterned.

• Alocospira marginata (Margined ancilla): Found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Sea Slugs (Subclass Opisthobranchia)

This group includes sea hares and nudibranchs, which have reduced or no shells.

• Bulla quoyii (Botany Bay bubble shell): A common bubble shell found all around Australia.
• Aplysia dactylomela (Reticulated sea hare): A large sea slug that can release purple ink, found all around Australia and worldwide.
• Austraeolis ornata (Ornate facelinid): A colourful nudibranch found all around Australia.

• Pteraeolidia ianthina (Blue dragon): A beautiful blue nudibranch found in tropical Australia, extending south to South Australia and New South Wales.

Clams, Oysters, and Mussels (Class Bivalvia)

Bivalves have two hinged shells.

Ark Shells (Family Arcidae)

• Anadara trapezia (Sydney cockle): A common cockle found from Victoria to Queensland.

Mussels (Family Mytilidae)

• Mytilus galloprovincialis (Blue mussel, edible mussel): A widely eaten mussel, found all around Australia and worldwide.

Razor Clams (Family Pinnidae)

• Pinna bicolor (Razor clam, razorfish): A large, wedge-shaped clam that lives buried in sand, found all around Australia.

Scallops (Family Pectenidae)

• Mimachlamys asperrima (Doughboy scallop): A common scallop found all around Australia.
• Pecten fumatus (Commercial scallop, king scallop): An important commercial scallop, found from Western Australia to Queensland.

Oysters (Family Ostreidae)

• Ostrea angasi (Native oyster, mud oyster): Australia's native flat oyster, found all around Australia.
• Saccostrea glomerata (Sydney rock oyster): A popular edible oyster, found from Victoria to Queensland.

Cockles (Family Cardiidae)

• Fulvia tenuicostata (Thin-ribbed cockle): Found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Pipis (Family Donacidae)

• Donax deltoides (Pipi, Goolwa cockle): A common edible clam found on sandy beaches all around Australia.

Venus Shells (Family Veneridae)

• Katelysia scalarina (Ridged cockle): A common clam with ridged shells, found all around Australia.

Octopuses and Squids (Class Cephalopoda)

These intelligent molluscs have no external shell and move by jet propulsion.

Octopuses (Family Octopodidae)

• Hapalochlaena maculosa (Blue-ringed octopus): A small, highly venomous octopus known for its blue rings that flash when threatened. Found from Western Australia to Queensland and Tasmania.
• Octopus bunurong (Southern white spot octopus): Found from South Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Octopus tetricus (Gloomy octopus): Found from Victoria to Queensland.

Argonauts (Family Argonautidae)

• Argonauta nodosus (Paper nautilus): The female argonaut creates a beautiful, thin "paper" shell to hold her eggs. Found all around Australia.

Cuttlefish (Family Sepiidae)

• Sepia apama (Giant cuttle): The largest cuttlefish species, known for its amazing colour-changing abilities. Found from Western Australia to Queensland and Tasmania.
• Sepia plangon (Mourning cuttle): Found from New South Wales to Queensland.

Squid (Family Loliginidae)

• Sepioteuthis australis (Southern calamary): A common squid species, popular for food, found all around Australia and New Zealand.

Pygmy Squid (Family Idiosepiidae)

• Idiosepius notoides (Southern pygmy squid): A tiny squid, found all around Australia.

Bobtail Squids (Family Sepiolidae)

• Euprymna tasmanica (Southern bobtail squid, southern dumpling squid): A small, round squid found all around Australia.

Bottletail Squids (Family Sepiadariidae)

• Sepioloidea lineolata (Striped pyjama squid, lined dumpling squid): A distinctive squid with black and white stripes, found from Western Australia to Queensland.

Lamp Shells (Phylum Brachiopoda)

These marine animals have two shells, but they are not related to bivalve molluscs.

• Magellania flavescens (Southern lampshell): Found from Western Australia to New South Wales and northern Tasmania.

Bryozoans (Phylum Bryozoa)

Bryozoans are tiny colonial animals that often form delicate, lace-like or branching structures.

• Bugula dentata (Green soft bryozoan): A soft, green bryozoan found all around Australia.
• Iodictyum phoeniceum (Purple bryozoan): A beautiful purple bryozoan found from South Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania.
• Membranipora membranacea (Kelp bryozoan): Often found encrusting kelp, found all around Australia and worldwide.
• Triphyllozoon moniliferum (Lace bryozoan, lace coral): Forms delicate, lace-like colonies, found all around Australia.

Sea Stars and Urchins (Phylum Echinodermata)

This group includes sea stars, brittle stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. They have radial symmetry and a unique water vascular system.

Feather Stars (Class Crinoidea)

Feather stars are ancient animals that look like feathery plants. They can crawl or swim.

• Comanthus trichoptera (Orange feather star): A common orange feather star found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Antedon incommoda (Variable feather star): Found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Ptilometra australis (Southern passion star): A beautiful feather star found in New South Wales and Tasmania.

Sea Stars (Class Asteroidea)

Sea stars, or starfish, are well-known for their five (or more) arms.

• Luidia australiae (Southern sand star): A flat sea star that lives in sand, found from Western Australia to Queensland and Tasmania.
• Pentagonaster dubeni (Vermilion biscuit star): A thick, biscuit-shaped sea star, often red, found from Western Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania.
• Tosia australis (Southern biscuit star): Another biscuit-shaped sea star, found all around southern Australia.
• Petricia vernicina (Cushion star): A soft, cushion-like sea star, found all around Australia.
• Plectaster decanus (Mosaic seastar): A striking sea star with a mosaic pattern, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and northern Tasmania.
• Asterias amurensis (North Pacific seastar): An invasive species that can harm native ecosystems, found in Victoria and eastern Tasmania.
• Meridiastra calcar (Eight-armed seastar): A common sea star with eight arms, found all around southern Australia.
• Parvulastra exigua (Rockpool star): A small sea star often found in rock pools, found from South Australia to Queensland and around Tasmania.

Brittle Stars (Class Ophiuroidea)

Brittle stars have long, flexible arms that break off easily (and regrow).

• Ophiomyxa australis (Southern serpent star): Found all around Australia.
• Conocladus australis (Southern basket star): A large, branching brittle star that filters food from the water, found all around southern Australia.
• Ophiactis resiliens (Chequered brittle star): Found all around southern Australia.

Sea Urchins (Class Echinoidea)

Sea urchins are spiny, globe-shaped animals.

• Goniocidaris tubaria (Stumpy pencil urchin): Has thick, blunt spines, found all around southern Australia.
• Centrostephanus rodgersii (Hollow-spined urchin, black urchin): A large, black urchin with long, hollow spines. It can be found from Victoria to New South Wales and eastern Tasmania.
• Amblypneustes ovum (Egg urchin): A common, round urchin found from South Australia to Victoria and around Tasmania.
• Heliocidaris erythrogramma (Purple urchin): A very common purple urchin, found all around Australia.

Sea Cucumbers (Class Holothuroidea)

Sea cucumbers are soft-bodied, elongated echinoderms.

• Australostichopus mollis (Southern sea cucumber): Found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Leptosynaptura dolabrifera (Sticky sea cucumber): Known for its sticky skin, found all around Australia.

Sea Squirts (Class Ascidiacea)

Sea squirts, or ascidians, are filter feeders that can be solitary or colonial.

• Ascidiella aspersa (European ascidian): An introduced species found in Victoria and Tasmania.
• Ascidia sydneiensis (Sydney ascidian): Found all around Australia and worldwide.
• Botrylloides perspicuus (Deadman's fingers): A colonial ascidian that forms finger-like growths, found all around Australia.
• Pyura australis (Southern sea tulip): A stalked ascidian that looks like a tulip, found all around southern Australia.
• Pyura stolonifera (Cunjevoi): A very common, tough ascidian that forms large clumps on rocky shores, found all around Australia.
• Clavelina cylindrica (Grape ascidian): A colonial ascidian that looks like a bunch of grapes, found all around Australia.
• Sycozoa cerebriformis (Brain ascidian): Forms brain-like colonies, found all around Australia.

Fish (Class Osteichthyes and Chondrichthyes)

Australia's temperate waters are home to many fascinating fish, from sharks and rays to colourful reef fish.

Sharks and Rays (Class Chondrichthyes)

These fish have skeletons made of cartilage instead of bone.

Hornsharks (Family Heterodontidae)

• Heterodontus portusjacksoni (Port Jackson shark): A common shark with a distinctive blunt head and spines in front of its dorsal fins. Found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Carpetsharks (Family Parascylliidae)

• Parascyllium ferrugineum (Rusty catshark): A small, rusty-coloured shark found from Western Australia to Victoria and around Tasmania.

Wobbegongs (Family Orectolobidae)

Wobbegongs are flat, camouflaged sharks that lie on the seafloor.

• Orectolobus halei (Banded wobbegong): Found from Western Australia to Queensland and Tasmania.

Whaler Sharks (Family Carcharhinidae)

• Carcharhinus brachyurus (Bronze whaler): A large shark found from Western Australia to New South Wales and northern Tasmania.

Angelsharks (Family Squatinidae)

• Squatina australis (Australian angelshark): A flat shark that looks like a ray, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and northern Tasmania.

Guitarfishes (Family Rhinobatidae)

• Trygonorrhina fasciata (Fiddler ray, banjo ray): A ray with a guitar-shaped body, found from New South Wales to Queensland.

Stingrays (Family Dasyatidae)

• Dasyatis brevicaudata (Smooth stingray): A very large stingray, found all around Australia and in other parts of the world.

Eagle Rays (Family Myliobatidae)

• Myliobatis australis (Southern eagle ray): A ray with a distinct head and pointed pectoral fins, found all around southern Australia.

Stingarees (Family Urolophidae)

• Urolophus cruciatus (Banded stingaree): A small ray with bands on its back, found from South Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.
• Urolophus kapalensis (Kapala stingaree): Found off the coasts of New South Wales and Queensland.

Bony Fish (Class Osteichthyes)

This group includes most of the fish we know.

Eels (Families Muraenidae, Congridae, Ophichthidae, Anguillidae)

• Gymnothorax prasinus (Green moray): A large moray eel, found all around Australia.
• Conger wilsoni (Eastern conger): A common conger eel, found all around Australia.
• Anguilla australis (Southern shortfin eel): An eel that lives in freshwater but breeds at sea, found all around southern Australia.

Sardines and Anchovies (Families Clupeidae, Engraulidae)

• Sardinops sagax (Australian sardine): An important baitfish and food source, found all around Australia.
• Engraulis australis (Australian anchovy): Found all around Australia.

Anglerfishes (Families Antennariidae, Brachionichthyidae)

Anglerfishes are masters of camouflage, often with lures to attract prey.

• Antennarius striatus (Striate anglerfish): Found in tropical Australia, extending south to New South Wales and Western Australia.
• Brachionichthys hirsutus (Spotted handfish): A critically endangered fish that "walks" on its fins, found only in the Derwent estuary, Tasmania.

Seahorses and Seadragons (Family Syngnathidae)

These unique fish have elongated bodies and often blend in with seaweed.

• Hippocampus abdominalus (Bigbelly seahorse): A large seahorse found off the coast of New South Wales.
• Phycodurus eques (Leafy seadragon): Famous for its incredible leaf-like camouflage, found from Western Australia to Victoria.
• Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Common seadragon, weedy seadragon): Another beautiful seadragon, found all around southern Australia.
• Stigmatopora argus (Spotted pipefish): A pipefish with spots, found all around southern Australia.

Scorpionfishes (Family Scorpaenidae)

These fish often have venomous spines.

• Scorpaena cardinalis (Eastern red scorpionfish): A red, camouflaged fish found from Victoria to Queensland.

Lionfishes (Family Pteroididae)

• Pterois volitans (Common lionfish): A striking fish with long, venomous spines, found in tropical Australia, extending south to Western Australia and New South Wales.

Flatheads (Family Platycephalidae)

Flatheads are bottom-dwelling fish with flattened heads.

• Platycephalus bassensis (Southern sand flathead): A common flathead found all around southern Australia.
• Platycephalus fuscus (Dusky flathead): A popular angling fish, found from Victoria to Queensland.

Rockcods and Seaperches (Family Serranidae)

• Acanthistius ocellatus (Eastern wirrah): A camouflaged fish found from Victoria to Queensland and Tasmania.
• Epinephelus daemelii (Black rockcod): A large rockcod found from Victoria to Queensland.

Whitings (Family Sillaginidae)

• Sillaginodes punctata (King George whiting): A highly prized eating fish, found all around southern Australia.

Trevallies (Family Carangidae)

• Pseudocaranx georgianus (Silver trevally): A fast-swimming fish, found all around Australia.

Australian Salmons (Family Arripidae)

• Arripis truttaceus (Western Australian salmon): A strong-swimming fish, found from Western Australia to New South Wales and around Tasmania.

Breams (Family Sparidae)

• Pagrus auratus (Snapper): A popular recreational and commercial fish, found all around Australia.

Goatfishes (Family Mullidae)

• Upeneichthys lineatus (Bluestriped goatfish): Found from Victoria to Queensland.

Drummers (Family Kyphosidae)

• Kyphosus sydneyanus (Silver drummer): Found all around Australia.

Blackfishes (Family Girellidae)

• Girella tricuspidata (Luderick, blackfish): A common fish in estuaries and coastal waters, found all around southern Australia.

Boarfishes (Family Pentacerotidae)

• Pentaceropsis recurvirostris (Longsnout boarfish): Has a long snout, found all around southern Australia.

Damselfishes (Family Pomacentridae)

• Parma victoriae (Scalyfin, Victorian scalyfin): A common reef fish, found all around southern Australia.

Morwongs (Family Cheilodactylidae)

• Nemadactylus macropterus (Jackass morwong): An important commercial fish, found all around Australia.

Wrasses (Family Labridae)

Wrasses are often colourful fish found on reefs.

• Achoerodus gouldii (Western blue groper): A large, blue wrasse found in Western Australia and Victoria.
• Achoerodus viridis (Eastern blue groper): The eastern counterpart, found from Victoria to Queensland and Tasmania.
• Notolabrus tetricus (Bluethroat wrasse): A common wrasse with a blue throat, found all around southern Australia.
• Pictilabrus laticlavius (Senator wrasse): A colourful wrasse, found all around southern Australia.

Leatherjackets (Family Monacanthidae)

Leatherjackets have tough, leathery skin and a single spine on their head.

• Acanthaluteres vittiger (Toothbrush leatherjacket): Has bristles like a toothbrush, found all around southern Australia.
• Brachaluteres jacksonianus (Southern pygmy leatherjacket): A small, camouflaged leatherjacket, found all around Australia.
• Meuschenia freycineti (Sixspine leatherjacket): A common leatherjacket, found all around southern Australia.

Boxfishes (Family Aracanidae)

Boxfishes have rigid, box-like bodies.

• Aracana ornata (Ornate cowfish): A beautifully patterned boxfish, found all around southern Australia.

Toadfishes (Family Tetraodontidae)

Toadfishes can inflate their bodies when threatened.

• Tetractenos glaber (Smooth toadfish): A common toadfish, found all around southern Australia.

Porcupine Fishes (Family Diodontidae)

Porcupine fish have spines that stand up when they inflate.

• Diodon nicthemerus (Globefish, porcupine fish): A common porcupine fish, found all around southern Australia.

Reptiles (Class Reptilia)

• Dermochelys coriacea (Leathery turtle, luth): The largest sea turtle, found all around Australia and worldwide.

Birds (Class Aves)

Some birds spend most of their lives at sea.

• Eudyptula minor (Little penguin, blue penguin, fairy penguin): The smallest penguin species, found all around southern Australia and New Zealand.
• Puffinus tenuirostris (Short-tailed shearwater, muttonbird): A migratory seabird that breeds in southern Australia and Tasmania, then flies to the North Pacific.

Mammals (Class Mammalia)

Seals and Sea Lions (Order Pinnipedia)

• Arctocephalus forsteri (New Zealand fur seal): Found in Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
• Arctocephalus pusillus (Australian fur seal): Found in Victoria, New South Wales, and around Tasmania.
• Neophoca cinerea (Australian sea lion): An endemic species found only in Western Australia and South Australia.

Whales and Dolphins (Order Cetacea)

• Delphinus delphis (Common dolphin): Found all around Australia and worldwide.
• Eubalaena australis (Southern right whale): A large baleen whale that migrates to Australian waters for breeding, found in southern and eastern Australia.
• Megaptera novaeangliae (Humpback whale): Famous for their acrobatic breaches and songs, found all around Australia and worldwide.
• Orcinus orca (Killer whale, orca): The largest dolphin species, found all around Australia and worldwide.
• Tursiops aduncus (Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin): A common dolphin species, found all around Australia.

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See also

• List of seaweeds and marine flowering plants of Australia (temperate waters)
• List of marine animals of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay