There are various types of aquatic animals that live underwater. In this article, we provide you a list of common names of some aquatic animals in English.
Names of Aquatic Animals
An aquatic animal is an animal, either vertebrate or invertebrate, which lives in water for most or all of its life.
The term aquatic can in theory be applied to animals that live in either freshwater (freshwater animals) or saltwater (sea animals). However, the adjective marine is most commonly used for animals that live in saltwater.
- Alligator
- Angelfish
- Angler fish
- Barnacle
- Catfish
- Clam
- Clownfish
- Codfish
- Coral
- Crab
- Crayfish
- Crocodile
- Cuttlefish
- Dolphin
- Eel
- Jellyfish
- Lobster
- Octopus
- Oyster
- Prawn
- Scallop
- Sea Lion
- Seahorse
- Seal
- Shark
- Shrimp
- Slug
- Snail
- Squid
- Starfish
- Stingray
- Tuna
- Turtle
- Walrus
- Whale
Names of Aquatic Animals with Facts
Fish
- Fish breathe underwater using gills.
- Most have fins and scales to help them swim.
- Fish communicate through movement and vibrations.
Fish
/fɪʃ/
- The fish swam swiftly through the coral reef.
Shrimp
- Shrimp have see-through bodies and live near the ocean floor.
- They are important cleaners in the sea, eating dead plants and animals.
- Shrimp can snap their claws to make a loud popping sound.
Shrimp
/ʃrɪmp/
- The shrimp hid under a rock when it saw the predator.
Octopus
- Octopuses have eight arms and are highly intelligent.
- They can squeeze into tiny spaces due to their soft bodies.
- Octopuses squirt ink to escape from predators.
Octopus
/ˈɑːktəpəs/
- The octopus changed color to blend with the ocean floor.
Dolphin
- Dolphins are mammals that breathe air through a blowhole.
- They use echolocation to find food and navigate.
- Dolphins live in groups called pods and are very social.
Dolphin
/ˈdɑːlfɪn/
- The dolphin leapt out of the water, thrilling the tourists.
Whale
- Whales are the largest animals on Earth.
- They breathe through blowholes and must come to the surface.
- Some whales travel thousands of miles to migrate.
Whale
/weɪl/
- We saw a whale spouting water in the distance.
Squid
- Squid have ten limbs and swim by jetting water through their bodies.
- They can squirt ink to escape danger.
- Some squids can glow in the dark using bioluminescence.
Squid
/skwɪd/
- The squid darted away in a cloud of ink.
Clam
- Clams have two hard shells and live buried in sand.
- They filter water to get food like plankton.
- Some clams can live for over 100 years.
Clam
/klæm/
- The clam slowly opened its shell on the seabed.
Lobster
- Lobsters have strong claws for catching prey and defending themselves.
- They live on the ocean floor in rocky burrows.
- Lobsters molt (shed their shells) as they grow.
Lobster
/ˈlɑːbstɚ/
- The lobster scurried into its cave when disturbed.
Crab
- Crabs walk sideways and have strong pincers.
- They often hide in rocks or mud.
- Some crabs carry shells or objects for protection.
Crab
/kræb/
- The crab grabbed a shell and disappeared into the sand.
Clownfish
- Clownfish live in sea anemones for protection.
- They are immune to the anemone’s sting.
- Clownfish can change sex if needed in their group.
Clownfish
/ˈklaʊnˌfɪʃ/
- The clownfish peeked out from its sea anemone home.
Turtle
- Sea turtles have flippers to help them swim.
- They return to the same beach to lay eggs.
- Turtles can hold their breath underwater for hours.
Turtle
/ˈtɝːtəl/
- The turtle glided peacefully through the ocean.
Penguin
- Penguins are birds that swim but cannot fly.
- They use their wings like flippers underwater.
- Penguins live in cold areas and huddle for warmth.
Penguin
/ˈpɛŋɡwɪn/
- The penguin dove into the icy water to catch fish.
Sea Lion
- Sea lions are playful marine mammals with strong flippers.
- They can “walk” on land using their front flippers.
- Sea lions are very vocal and bark to communicate.
Sea Lion
/ˈsiː ˌlaɪən/
- The sea lion barked loudly while resting on the rock.
Orca (Killer Whale)
- Orcas are top predators in the ocean.
- They live and hunt in groups called pods.
- Orcas are highly intelligent and use coordinated hunting tactics.
Orca
/ˈɔːrkə/
- An orca breached the surface, creating a huge splash.
Aquatic Animals | Infographic
English Vocabulary for Aquatic Animals
Last Updated on January 9, 2026
Rahul Singh