Find a fish

The table below lists all fish families known from Australian waters. The site contains information on 1285 species in 267 families.

A White Shark at the Neptune Islands
Michelle Yerman © Michelle Yerman

The table gives access to fish resources on the site, but if you would prefer, you can query the entire site by using the search box on the upper right corner of any page.

Family	Common name	Species on site	Aust. spp.*
Jawless fishes
Geotriidae (FOA website)	Lampreys	0	1
Mordaciidae	Lampreys	1	2
Myxinidae	Hagfishes	1	2
Sharks
Chlamydoselachidae	Chlamydoselachus anguineus, Frill Shark	1	1
Hexanchidae	Cow Sharks, Cowsharks, Sevengill Sharks, Sixgill Sharks	4	4
Heterodontidae	Bullhead Sharks, Horn Sharks, Port Jackson Sharks	4	3
Odontaspididae	Greynurse Sharks, Sand Tiger Sharks	2	2
Lamnidae	Mackerel Sharks, Makos, Porbeagles, White Sharks	3	4
Otodontidae	The extinct megatooth sharks	1	-
Miksukurinidae	Mitsukurina owstoni, Goblin Shark	1	1
Cetorhinidae	Cetorhinus maximus, Basking Shark	1	1
Pseudocarchariidae (FOA website)	Pseudocarcharias kamoharai, Crocodile Shark	0	1
Megachasmidae	Megachasma pelagios, Megamouth Shark	1	1
Alopiidae	Alopias vulpinus, Thresher Shark	1	3
Hemiscylliidae	Bamboo Sharks, Longtail Carpetsharks	2	3
Brachaeluridae	Blind Sharks	1	2
Parascylliidae	Australian Catsharks, Collar Carpetsharks	1	5
Orectolobidae	Carpet Sharks, Wobbegongs	4	10
Stegostomatidae	Stegostoma fasciatum, Zebra Shark	1	1
Scyliorhinidae	Catsharks	1	34
Ginglymostomatidae	Nebrius ferrugineus, Tawny Shark	1	1
Rhincodontidae	Rhincodon typus, Whale Shark	1	1
Pseudotriakidae	Pseudotriakis microdon, False Catshark	1	1
Triakidae	Mustelus antarcticus, Gummy Shark	1	8
Hemigaleidae (FOA website)	Weasel Sharks	0	2
Carcharhinidae	Requiem Sharks, Whaler Sharks	12	31
Sphyrnidae	Sphyrna lewini, Scalloped Hammerhead	1	4
Centrophoridae	Dogfish, Gulper Sharks	1	9
Squalidae	Dogfish Sharks, Dogfishes	6	12
Dalatiidae	Dogfishes, Kitefin Sharks, Cookiecutter Sharks	3	5
Oxynotidae	Prickly Dogfishes, Roughsharks	1	1
Echinorhinidae	Bramble Sharks	1	2
Pristiophoridae	Sawsharks	1	4
Squatinidae	Angel Sharks	2	4
Rays
Rhynchobatidae	Guitarfishes, Wedgefishes	1	3
Rhinidae	Shark Ray, Rhina ancylostoma	1	1
Rhinobatidae	Fiddler Rays, Guitarfishes, Shovelnose Rays	4	8
Rajidae	Skates	2	25
Torpedinidae	Coffin Rays, Torpedo Rays, Torpedos	1	2
Narcidae	Numbfishes	1	5
Hypnidae	Numbfish, Hypnos monopterygium	1	1
Pristidae	Sawfishes	1	4
Plesiobatidae (FOA website)	Plesiobatis daviesi, Giant Stingaree	0	1
Hexatrygonidae (FOA website)	Hexatrygon bickelli, Sixgill Stingray	0	1
Dasyatidae	Stingrays	11	22
Urolophidae	Stingarees	4	21
Gymnuridae	Gymnura australis, Australian Butterfly Ray	1	1
Myliobatidae	Eagle Rays	3	5
Rhinopteridae	Cownose Rays	1	2
Mobulidae	Manta Rays, Devil Rays	1	5
Chimaeras
Chimaeridae	Chimaeras	1	20
Callorhinchidae	Elephantfishes, Plownose Chimaeras	1	1
Rhinochimaeridae	Long-nosed Ghost Sharks, Longnose Chimaeras, Spookfishes	1	4
Lobe-finned Fishes
Latimeriidae	Coelacanth	1	0
Ceratodontidae	Lungfishes	2	1
Ray-finned Fishes	(all families below this row)
Lepisosteidae	Gars	1	0
Elopidae	Giant Herrings, Ladyfishes, Tenpounders	1	2
Megalopidae (FOA website)	Megalops cyprinoides, Oxeye Herring	0	1
Albulidae (FOA website)	Albula forsteri, Pacific Bonefish	0	1
Eels
Protanguillidae	Protanguilla palau	1	0
Anguillidae	Freshwater Eels	3	4
Muraenidae	Knot-eels, Moray Eels, Morays, Reef Eels	18	62
Moringuidae (FOA website)	Worm Eels, Spaghetti Eels	0	5
Chlopsidae (FOA website)	False Moray Eels	0	3
Colocongridae (FOA website)	Coloconger scholesi, Short-tail Conger	0	1
Muraenesocidae	Pike Congers, Pike Eels	1	3
Nettastomatidae	Duckbill Eels, Sorcerers, Wire Eels	1	6
Congridae	Conger Eels, Congers	6	35
Serrivomeridae (FOA website)	Sawtooth Eels	0	2
Ophichthidae	Snake Eels, Worm Eels	6	45
Synaphobranchidae	Basketwork Eels, Cutthroat Eels	2	8
Derichthyidae	Duck-billed Eels, Longneck Eels	1	3
Nemichthyidae	Snipe Eels	2	5
Cyematidae (FOA website)	Cyema atrum, Arrow Eel	0	1
Saccopharyngidae (FOA website)	Saccopharynx schmidti, Black Gulper	0	1
Eurypharyngidae	Deepsea Gulper, Gulper Eel, Pelican Eel	1	1
Halosauridae	Goanna Fish, Halosaurs	1	5
Notacanthidae	Spinebacks, Spiny Eels, Sucker Eels	1	3
Herrings, Sardines, Anchovies
Chirocentridae	Wolf Herrings	1	2
Clupeidae	Herrings, Menhadens, Pilchards, Sardines, Shads, Sprats	5	29
Engraulidae (FOA website)	Anchovies	0	23
Pristigasteridae (FOA website)	Ilishas, Pellonas, Pristigasterids	0	4
Bony Tongues
Osteoglossidae	Bony Tongues, Saratoga	1	2
Salmons and relatives
Salmonidae	Salmon, Trout	1	5
Argentinidae	Argentines, Herring Smelts, Silversides	1	3
Opisthoproctidae	Barreleyes	2	3
Microstomatidae	Deepsea Smelts, Smallmouths	1	9
Retropinnidae	Southern Graylings, Southern Smelts	1	6
Galaxiidae	Galaxias, Native Minnows, Native Trout	5	23
Dragonfishes and relatives
Phosichthyidae	Lightfishes, Lighthouse Fishes	1	12
Gonostomatidae (FOA website)	Bristlemouths, Lightfishes	0	16
Sternoptychidae	Hatchetfishes, Lightfishes	1	22
Stomiidae	Dragonfishes	7	64
Alepocephalidae	Baldfishes, Slickheads	1	34
Platytroctidae	Tubeshoulders	1	6
Bathylaconidae (FOA website)	Herwigia kreffti, Toothless Slickhead	0	1
Lizardfishes and relatives
Paraulopidae	Cucumberfishes	3	4
Aulopidae	Aulopus, Sergeant Bakers, Threadsails	3	5
Ipnopidae	Spiderfishes,Tripod Fishes	2	7
Synodontidae	Lizardfishes	7	27
Bathysauroididae (external link)	Bathysauroides gigas, Pale Deepsea Lizardfish	0	1
Chlorophthalmidae	Deepsea Lizardfishes, Greeneyes	0	2
Bathysauropsidae (external link)	Bathysauropsis gracilis, Black Deepsea Lizardfishes	0	1
Notosudidae (external link)	Paperbones, Waryfishes, Wearyfishes	0	6
Scopelarchidae	Pearleyes	1	6
Paralepididae	Barracudinas	1	14
Evermannellidae (external link)	Sabretooth Fishes	0	3
Alepisauridae	Hammerjaws, Lancetfishes and Omosudids	3	3
Giganturidae	Telescope Fishes	1	2
Bathysauridae	Bathysaurus ferox, Deepsea Lizardfish	1	1
Carps and relatives
Cyprinidae	Carps, goldfish, cyprinids	5	5
Cobitidae	Loaches	1	1
Lanternfishes and relatives
Neoscopelidae	Neoscopelids, New Lanternfishes	1	4
Myctophidae	Lanternfishes	2	99
Milkfish, Beaked Slamons and relatives
Gonorynchidae	Beaked Salmon, Beaked Sandfish, Ratfish	1	1
Chanidae	Milkfish	1	1
Catfishes and relatives
Ariidae	Fork-tailed Catfishes, Salmon-catfishes, Sea Catfishes	2	17
Plotosidae	Eeltail Catfishes	5	22
Toadfishes and relatives
Batrachoididae	Frogfishes	2	9
Clingfishes and relatives
Gobiesocidae	Clingfishes, Shore Eels	9	28
Anglerfishes and relatives
Lophiidae	Goosefishes, Monkfishes	2	4
Brachionichthyidae	Handfishes	3	5
Antennariidae	Anglerfishes, Frogfishes	14	24
Chaunacidae	Coffinfishes, Gapers, Sea Toads	1	4
Ogcocephalidae	Batfishes, Handfishes, Seabats	1	7
Melanocetidae	Blackdevils	2	2
Diceratiidae	Two-rod Anglers	1	1
Oneirodidae	Dreamers	1	7
Gigantactinidae	Whipnose Anglerfishes	2	2
Ceratiidae	Seadevils	2	4
Caulophrynidae	Fanfin Anglerfishes, Deepsea Anglerfishes	1	1
Neoceratiidae (external link)	Neoceratias spinifer, Spiny Seadevil	0	1
Himantolophidae (external link)	Himantolophus appelii, Prickly Footballfish	0	1
Linophrynidae	Leftvent Anglerfishes	2	3
Cods, Hakes etc
Euclichthyidae (external link)	Euclichthys polynemus, Eucla Cod	0	1
Moridae	Beardies, Moras, Morid Cods	4	25
Merlucciidae	Blue Grenadiers, Hakes, Merluccid Hakes	1	3
Melanonidae (external link)	Melanonids, Pelagic Cods	0	2
Bregmacerotidae (external link)	Codlets, Codlings, Unicorn Cod	0	6
Phycidae (external link)	Gaidropsarus novaezealandiae, New Zealand Rockling	0	1
Macrouridae	Whiptails, Grenadiers, Rattails	2	102
Cuskeels and relatives
Carapidae (external link)	Pearlfishes	0	15
Bythitidae	Bortulas, Cuskfishes, Live-bearing Brotulas	1	31
Ophidiidae	Cuskeels, Lings and Torsk	6	38
Aphyonidae	Aphyonids, Blindfishes	1	2
Zoarcidae	an eelpout	1	1
Parabrotulidae (external link)	Parabrotula plagiophthalmus, False Cusk	0	1
Flyingfishes and relatives
Exocoetidae	Flyingfishes	3	26
Hemiramphidae	Garfishes, Halfbeaks	3	19
Belonidae	Longtoms, Needlefishes	2	11
Scomberesocidae	Billfish, King Gars, Saury	1	1
Killifishes and relatives
Poeciliidae	Livebearers, Livebearing Toothcarps	1	6
Cyprinodontidae (external link)	Jordanella floridae, American Flagfish	0	1
Rainbowfishes and relatives
Notocheiridae	Iso rhothophilus, Surf Sardine	1	1
Pseudomugilidae	Blue Eyes	1	7
Melanotaeniidae	Rainbowfishes	3	16
Dentatherinidae (external link)	Dentatherina merceri, Tusked Silverside	0	1
Atherinidae	Hardyheads, Silversides, Whitebait	4	35
Squirrelfishes and relatives
Cetomimidae	Whalefishes	4	2
Rondeletiidae	Redmouth Whalefishes	1	1
Barbourisiidae	Redvelvet Whalefish	1	1
Melamphaidae	Bigscales, Crusthead, Ridgeheads	1	7
Polymixiidae	Beardfishes	1	3
Diretmidae	Spinyfins	1	2
Anomalopidae (external link)	Flashlight Fishes	0	2
Trachichthyidae	Roughies, Sawbellies, Slimeheads	5	14
Anoplogastridae	Fangtooth	1	1
Berycidae	Alfonsinos, Redfishes	2	6
Hispidoberycidae	Bristlyskin	1	0
Monocentridae	Pineapplefishes, Pine-cone Fishes	1	2
Holocentridae	Soldierfishes, Squirrelfishes	10	32
Dories and relatives
Cyttidae	Bigeye Dories, Lookdown Dories	1	3
Parazenidae (external link)	Little Dories, Parazen, Slender Dories, Smooth Dories	0	3
Zeniontidae	Armoreye Dories, Bighead Dories, Capro Dories, Elongate Dories, Rough-head Dories	1	7
Zeidae	Dories, Buckler Dories	1	3
Caproidae (external link)	Boarfishes, Deepsea Boarfishes	0	5
Grammicolepididae	Dwarf Dory, Scaly Dories, Tinselfishes	1	3
Oreosomatidae	Mountainsides, Oreodories, Oreos, Warty Dories	2	6
Oarfishes and relatives
Lamprididae	Moonfishes, Opahs	1	1
Veliferidae	Veilfins, Velifers	2	2
Lophotidae	Crestfishes, Unicornfish	1	2
Trachipteridae	Dealfishes, Ribbonfishes	2	3
Regalecidae	King Of Herrings, Oarfishes, Streamerfishes	1	2
Ateleopodidae	Jellynoses, Tadpole Fishes	1	1
Pipefishes and relatives
Aulostomidae	Flutemouths, Trumpetfishes	1	1
Fistulariidae	Cornetfishes, Coronetfishes, Flutemouths	1	2
Macroramphosidae	Bellowsfish, Snipefishes	2	5
Centriscidae	Razorfishes, Shrimpfishes	1	3
Solenostomidae	Ghost Pipefishes	3	4
Syngnathidae	Pipefishes, Seahorses	44	122
Pegasidae	Seamoths	3	3
Synbranchidae (external link)	One-gilled Eel, Swamp Eels	0	4
Scorpionfishes and relatives
Neosebastidae	Gurnard Perches	14	14
Scorpaenidae	Scorpionfishes, Lionfishes, Rockfishes, Stingfishes, Waspfishes	24	59
Apistidae	Waspfishes	1	3
Tetrarogidae	Fortescues, Sailback Scorpionfishes, Wasp Fishes	6	14
Sebastidae	Ocean Perches	3	5
Setarchidae (external link)	Deepwater Scorpionfishes	0	5
Triglidae	Armoured Gurnards, Armoured Sea Robins, Gurnards, Sea Robins	3	33
Bembridae (external link)	Deepwater Flatheads	0	3
Caracanthidae	Coral Crouchers	2	2
Aploactinidae	Velvetfishes	2	18
Synanceiidae	Stonefishes	3	4
Congiopodidae (external link)	Pigfishes, Racehorses, Southern Pigfish	0	2
Pataecidae	Prowfishes	3	3
Gnathanacanthidae	Red Velvetfish	1	1
Platycephalidae	Flatheads	13	45
Hoplichthyidae	Ghost Flatheads, Spiny Flatheads	3	5
Cottidae (external link)	Sculpins	0	2
Psychrolutidae	Blobfishes, Fathead Sculpins	2	3
Liparidae	Snailfishes	2	30
Cyclopteridae	lumpfish	1	0
Dactylopteridae	Flying Gurnards, Helmet Gurnards	1	5
Perches and relatives
Latidae	Barramundi	3	3
Ambassidae	Chanda Perches, Glassfishes, Perchlets	1	13
Acropomatidae (external link)	Lanternbellies, Ocean Basses	0	16
Moronidae (external link)	Lateolabrax japonicus, Japanese Seaperch	0	1
Percichthyidae	Australian Freshwater Cods, Australian Freshwater Blackfishes, Basses	8	22
Serranidae	Rockcods, Groupers, Gropers	48	148
Callanthiidae	Goldies, Groppos, Splendid Perches	1	2
Centrogeniidae (external link)	Centrogenys vaigiensis, False Scorpionfish	0	1
Ostracoberycidae (external link)	Ostracoberyx paxtoni, Spinycheek Seabass	0	1
Pseudochromidae	Dottybacks, Eel-Blennies, Lathfishes	3	37
Plesiopidae	Blue Devils, Hulafishes, Comet	6	23
Banjosidae (external link)	Banjofish, Banjosids	1	1
Glaucosomatidae	Pearl Perches, Epaulette Fishes	2	4
Terapontidae	Grunters	8	34
Kuhliidae	Flagtails	2	4
Priacanthidae	Bigeyes	4	9
Apogonidae	Cardinalfishes, Gobbleguts	22	125
Epigonidae	Deepsea Cardinalfishes, Deepwater Cardinalfishes	1	8
Dinolestidae	Longfin Pike	1	1
Percidae	Redfin	1	1
Sillaginidae	Whitings	4	13
Malacanthidae	Blanquillos, Tilefishes	1	10
Lactariidae (external link)	Lactarius lactarius, False Trevally	0	1
Pomatomidae	Tailor	1	1
Rachycentridae	Cobia, Black Kingfish	1	1
Echeneidae	Discfishes, Remoras, Sharksuckers, Suckerfishes	1	7
Carangidae	Trevallies, Jacks, Scads	31	67
Coryphaenidae	Dolphinfishes, Mahi Mahi	2	2
Menidae (external link)	Mene maculata, Razor Moonfish	0	1
Leiognathidae	Ponyfishes	1	18
Arripidae	Australian Salmons	3	3
Bramidae	Pomfrets	4	15
Caristiidae	Manefishes	1	2
Emmelichthyidae	Bonnetmouths, Red Baitfish, Ruby Fish	2	5
Lutjanidae	Fusilers, Hussars, Tropical Snappers	22	62
Nemipteridae	Threadfin Breams, Monocle-Breams	11	36
Lobotidae	Tripletails	1	1
Gerreidae	Silver-bellies, Silverbiddies	2	10
Haemulidae	Sweetlips	12	20
Lethrinidae	Emperors, Seabreams	6	28
Sparidae	Breams, Porgies, Seabreams	4	10
Sciaenidae	Croakers, Drums, Jewfishes	3	18
Mullidae	Goatfishes, Red Mullets	12	26
Monodactylidae	Diamondfishes, Moonfishes, Silver Batfishes	2	3
Pempheridae	Bullseyes, Sweepers	6	13
Leptobramidae (external link)	Leptobrama muelleri, Beach Salmon	0	1
Toxotidae	Archerfishes	2	4
Bathyclupeidae (external link)	Bathyclupea gracilis, Slender Deepsea Herring	0	1
Kyphosidae	Drummers, Microcanthids, Sea Chubs	16	23
Chaetodontidae	Butterflyfishes	40	54
Enoplosidae	Old Wife	1	1
Pomacanthidae	Angelfishes	17	29
Ephippidae	Batfishes, Spadefishes	3	8
Oplegnathidae	Knifejaw	1	1
Scatophagidae	Butterfishes, Scats	2	2
Pentacerotidae	Boarfishes, Armourheads	5	10
Cichlidae (external link)	Cichlids, Mouth-brooders	0	6
Pomacentridae	Damselfishes	49	140
Cirrhitidae	Hawkfishes	9	12
Chironemidae	Kelpfishes	2	6
Aplodactylidae	Marblefishes, Seacarps	1	4
Cheilodactylidae	Morwongs	8	12
Latridae	Trumpeters	1	4
Cepolidae	Bandfishes	1	8
Mugilidae	Mullets	5	21
Sphyraenidae	Barracudas, Sea Pikes	5	10
Polynemidae (external link)	Threadfin Salmons, Threadfins	0	6
Labridae	Wrasses (see also 2 rows below)	71	230
-  Odacinae	Weed Whitings and Cales (subfamily of Labridae)	7	10
- Scarinae	Parrotfishes (subfamily of Labridae)	12	32
Opistognathidae	Grinners, Jawfishes, Smilers	5	17
Pinguipedidae	Grubfishes, Sandperches, Weevers	9	28
Trichonotidae (external link)	Sanddivers	0	3
Creediidae	Sandburrowers, Tommyfishes	1	6
Percophidae	Duckbills	1	13
Pholidichthyidae	Convict Fish	1	0
Leptoscopidae	Pygmy Stargazers, Southern Sandfishes, Surf Sandfishes	1	2
Uranoscopidae	Stargazers, Stonelifters	1	20
Chiasmodontidae	Swallowers	1	5
Champsodontidae (external link)	Gapers	0	9
Bovichtidae	Thornfishes	1	3
Nototheniidae	Cod Icefishes	1	?
Blenniidae	Blennies, Fangblennies, Rockshippers	21	92
Tripterygiidae	Threefins, Triplefins	7	42
Clinidae	Snake Blennies, Weedfishes	10	32
Schindleriidae	Floaters	1	3
Ammodytidae (external link)	Ammodytoides vagus, Sandlance	0	1
Callionymidae	Dragonets, Stinkfishes	5	48
Draconettidae (external link)	Centrodraco insolitus, Uncommon Dragonet	0	1
Gobiidae	Gobies	53	355
Eleotridae	Gudgeons, Sleepers	11	42
Kraemeriidae (external link)	Kraemeria merensis, Mer Sand Dart	0	1
Xenisthmidae (external link)	Wrigglers	0	7
Microdesmidae	Dartfishes, Wormfishes	6	25
Kurtidae (external link)	Kurtus gulliveri, Nurseryfish	0	1
Acanthuridae	Surgeonfishes, Tangs, Unicornfishes	19	47
Zanclidae	Moorish Idol	1	1
Siganidae	Rabbitfishes, Mi Mi, Spinefoot	8	16
Scombrolabracidae	Longfin Escolar	1	1
Gempylidae	Escolars, Gemfishes, Snake Mackerels	6	17
Trichiuridae	Cutlassfishes, Frostfishes, Hairtails, Scabbardfishes	1	15
Scombridae	Albacore, Bonitos, Mackerels, Pike, Seerfishes, Snook, Tunas, Wahoo	10	25
Xiphiidae	Swordfish	1	1
Amarsipidae (external link)	Amarsipus carlsbergi, Amarsipa	0	1
Luvaridae	Louvar	1	1
Istiophoridae	Billfishes, Marlins, Sailfishes	4	5
Centrolophidae	Medusafishes, Ruffs, Trevallas	2	13
Nomeidae	Driftfishes, Cigarfishes, Cubeheads	3	11
Ariommatidae (external link)	Ariommas, Driftfish, Eyebrow Fishes	0	2
Tetragonuridae	Squaretails	1	3
Osphronemidae	Paradise Fish	1	0
Flatfishes
Psettodidae (external link)	Psettodes erumei, Australian Halibut	0	1
Citharidae (external link)	Citharids, Largescale Flounders	0	5
Bothidae	Lefteye Flounders, Left Handed Flatfishes	5	49
Achiropsettidae (external link)	Neoachiropsetta milfordi, Armless Deepsea Flounder	0	1
Paralichthyidae	Sand Flounders	3	12
Pleuronectidae (external link)	Right Handed Flatfishes, Righteye Flounders	0	16
Samaridae (external link)	Samarids	0	6
Soleidae	Soles	8	43
Cynoglossidae (external link)	Tongue Soles	0	16
Triggerfishes and relatives
Triacanthodidae	Spikefishes, Deepwater Spikefishes	1	8
Triacanthidae (external link)	Three-spine, Triplespines, Tripodfishes	0	6
Monacanthidae	Leatherjackets	30	58
Balistidae	Triggerfishes	11	22
Ostraciidae	Boxfishes	11	20
Tetraodontidae	Pufferfishes, Tobies	25	57
Triodontidae	Threetooth Puffers	1	1
Diodontidae	Burrfishes, Porcupinefishes	11	12
Molidae	Sunfishes	4	4
	TOTAL species	1285	4659

* The number of species in each family has been taken from Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178. (online at the Australian Faunal Directory)

Last Updated: 13 May 2013

Tags fishes, actinopterygii, sarcopterygii, chondrichthyes, myxini, ray-finned fishes, sharks, rays, chimaera, chimaeras, coelacanth, lungfishes, finders, hagfish, find a fish, find, ichthyology,