# speCies.blue > Look up marine life in speCies.blue, the field guide for scuba divers: more than 1,500 species of fish, corals, molluscs, crustaceans, sea turtles, marine mammals and more, from the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to the Red Sea and the Asian Pacific. Each comes with its common names and descriptions in English, French and Spanish, photos with their credits, IUCN conservation status, danger to divers, size and depth ranges, habitats, behaviours and taxonomy. Search by name, list and filter by category, status, danger, zone, size or depth, pick one at random, and list the categories and ocean zones. Works without an API key at speCies.blue's anonymous limit of 100 requests a minute, shared across Lodol; add a key for 1,000 a minute of your own. App · Research & Academia · 6 actions. Web page: https://docs.lodol.com/docs/integrations/species-blue ## Actions ### Get a random species Pick a marine species at random, for a species of the day or a quiz, optionally from those matching the same filters as List species, and only from those with a photo if asked. Returns everything recorded about it, as Get a species does. Fails if no species matches. **Inputs** - Category (`category`, text): Only species of this kind, such as fish, corals or molluscs. One of: `fish`, `coral`, `mollusk` (Mollusc), `crustacean`, `echinoderm`, `reptile`, `mammal`, `algae`, `sponge`, `cnidarian`, and 3 more. - IUCN status (`conservation_status`, text): Only species with this IUCN Red List status, such as Endangered or Critically Endangered. One of: `LC` (Least Concern (LC)), `NT` (Near Threatened (NT)), `VU` (Vulnerable (VU)), `EN` (Endangered (EN)), `CR` (Critically Endangered (CR)), `EW` (Extinct in the Wild (EW)), `EX` (Extinct (EX)), `DD` (Data Deficient (DD)), `NE` (Not Evaluated (NE)). - Danger to divers (`danger_level`, text): Only species with this danger to divers, such as Venomous for those with a painful sting or spines. One of: `harmless`, `caution`, `venomous`, `toxic`, `electric`, `aggressive`. - Ocean zone (`zone`, text): Only species found in this ocean zone, such as the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. List ocean zones describes each one. One of: `macaronesia`, `mediterranean`, `indian-red-sea` (Indian Ocean & Red Sea), `asian-pacific` (Asian Pacific), `caribbean`, `east-atlantic` (East Atlantic), `eastern-pacific` (Eastern Pacific). - Featured only (`featured_only`, true/false): Only the species speCies.blue features, a little over half of them. Default: `false`. - Min size (cm) (`min_size_cm`, number): Optional. Only species that grow to at least this length, in centimetres, such as 100 for the big ones. At least 0. - Max size (cm) (`max_size_cm`, number): Optional. Only species that can be this length or smaller, in centimetres, such as 5 for macro subjects. With Min size, species whose size range overlaps the one given. At least 0. - Min depth (m) (`min_depth_m`, number): Optional. Only species seen at this depth or deeper, in metres. At least 0. - Max depth (m) (`max_depth_m`, number): Optional. Only species seen at this depth or shallower, in metres, such as 18 for an open water diver. With Min depth, species whose depth range overlaps the one given. At least 0. - Has a photo (`has_photo`, true/false): Only pick a species with a photo, for a post that shows one. A handful have none. Default: `false`. - Language (`language`, text): The language of the common names, the descriptions and the category, status and danger names. English by default; scientific names are the same in all three. One of: `en` (English), `fr` (French), `es` (Spanish). Default: `en`. **Outputs** - `matched` (number): How many species matched the filters it was picked from. - `species` (object): One species, and everything speCies.blue records about it. **Example output** ```json { "matched": 11, "species": { "aphia_id": 344055, "behaviors": [ "pelagic" ], "category": "reptile", "category_name": "Reptile", "common_name": "Annulated sea snake", "conservation_status": "LC", "conservation_status_name": "Least Concern", "created_at": "2026-04-24T21:16:51.789176+00:00", "danger_level": "harmless", "danger_level_name": "Harmless", "depth_max_m": 50, "depth_min_m": 0, "featured": true, "fishbase_id": null, "full_description": "Hydrophis cyanocinctus reaches 2.75 m. Large sea snake (Elapidae) Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf with cylindrical body yellow-green to olive-yellow with distinct black-blue to black rings over entire length (hence cyanocinctus, blue-girded), thin head, vertically flattened tail. Lives from 0 to 50 m on coral reefs, sandy bottoms and coastal waters, fully aquatic unlike Laticauda (never leaves water, viviparous). Predator of fish extracted from holes. Powerful venom. Middle East, India, Malaysia dive photo subject, impressive encounter but curious swimmer rather than aggressive.", "gbif_key": 5960375, "habitats": [ "coral-reef", "sandy-bottom" ], "human_interaction": {}, "id": "75b09e12-1252-4172-a6e2-c3fa4ad30eaa", "inaturalist_taxon_id": 35223, "language": "en", "photo": "https://skfqeznlqqprmvamwyrf.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/species-photos/extra-cc97d709e0dc3f40.jpg", "photo_credit": "\u00a9 evannazareth / iNaturalist (CC BY)", "photos": [ { "credit": "\u00a9 evannazareth / iNaturalist (CC BY)", "is_primary": true, "url": "https://skfqeznlqqprmvamwyrf.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/species-photos/extra-cc97d709e0dc3f40.jpg" } ], "pictograms": [], "scientific_name": "Hydrophis cyanocinctus", "short_description": "Large Indo-Pacific yellow-green sea snake with blue rings, fully aquatic, venomous.", "size_max_cm": 275, "size_min_cm": 150, "slug": "hydrophis-cyanocinctus", "taxonomy": { "class": null, "family": "Elapidae", "genus": "Hydrophis", "kingdom": "Animalia", "order": "Squamata", "phylum": "Chordata" }, "translations": [ { "common_name": "Annulated sea snake", "full_description": "Hydrophis cyanocinctus reaches 2.75 m. Large sea snake (Elapidae) Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf with cylindrical body yellow-green to olive-yellow with distinct black-blue to black rings over entire length (hence cyanocinctus, blue-girded), thin head, vertically flattened tail. Lives from 0 to 50 m on coral reefs, sandy bottoms and coastal waters, fully aquatic unlike Laticauda (never leaves water, viviparous). Predator of fish extracted from holes. Powerful venom. Middle East, India, Malaysia dive photo subject, impressive encounter but curious swimmer rather than aggressive.", "language": "en", "short_description": "Large Indo-Pacific yellow-green sea snake with blue rings, fully aquatic, venomous." }, { "common_name": "Serpent marin annel\u00e9", "full_description": "Hydrophis cyanocinctus atteint 2.75 m. Grand serpent marin (Elapidae) Indo-Pacifique et golfe Persique au corps cylindrique jaune-vert \u00e0 jaune-olive avec anneaux bleu-noir \u00e0 noir distincts sur toute la longueur (d'o\u00f9 cyanocinctus, ceint de bleu), t\u00eate fine, queue aplatie verticalement. Vit de 0 \u00e0 50 m sur r\u00e9cifs coralliens, fonds sableux et eaux c\u00f4ti\u00e8res, totalement aquatique contrairement \u00e0 Laticauda (ne sort jamais de l'eau, vivipare). Pr\u00e9dateur de poissons qu'il extrait des trous. Venin puissant. Sujet photo plong\u00e9e Moyen-Orient, Inde, Malaisie, rencontre impressionnante mais nageur curieux plut\u00f4t qu'agressif.", "language": "fr", "short_description": "Grand serpent marin Indo-Pacifique jaune-vert \u00e0 anneaux bleus, totalement aquatique, venimeux." }, { "common_name": "Serpiente marina anillada", "full_description": "Hydrophis cyanocinctus alcanza 2.75 m. Gran serpiente marina (Elapidae) Indo-Pac\u00edfica y Golfo P\u00e9rsico con cuerpo cil\u00edndrico amarillo-verde a amarillo-oliva con anillos azul-negros a negros distintos en toda la longitud (de ah\u00ed cyanocinctus, ce\u00f1ida de azul), cabeza fina, cola aplanada verticalmente. Vive de 0 a 50 m en arrecifes coralinos, fondos arenosos y aguas costeras, totalmente acu\u00e1tica a diferencia de Laticauda (nunca sale del agua, viv\u00edpara). Depredadora de peces que extrae de agujeros. Veneno poderoso. Sujeto fotogr\u00e1fico del Medio Oriente, India, Malasia, encuentro impresionante pero nadadora curiosa m\u00e1s que agresiva.", "language": "es", "short_description": "Gran serpiente marina Indo-Pac\u00edfico amarillo-verde con anillos azules, totalmente acu\u00e1tica, venenosa." } ], "updated_at": "2026-04-24T21:16:51.789176+00:00", "url": "https://species.blue/en/species/hydrophis-cyanocinctus", "zone_names": [ "Asian Pacific", "Indian Ocean & Red Sea", "Mediterranean" ], "zones": [ "asian-pacific", "indian-red-sea", "mediterranean" ] } } ``` ### Get a species Get everything speCies.blue records about one marine species, by common or scientific name, WoRMS AphiaID or ID: its names and descriptions, photos with their credits, IUCN status, danger to divers, size and depth, habitats, the ocean zones it lives in and its taxonomy. A common name several species share fails, naming them. **Inputs** - Species (`species`, text, required): The species: its common name in English, French or Spanish, its scientific name, its WoRMS AphiaID or its speCies.blue ID, such as Whale shark, Manta birostris or 105857. - Language (`language`, text): The language of the common names, the descriptions and the category, status and danger names. English by default; scientific names are the same in all three. One of: `en` (English), `fr` (French), `es` (Spanish). Default: `en`. **Outputs** - `species` (object): One species, and everything speCies.blue records about it. **Example output** ```json { "species": { "aphia_id": 105857, "behaviors": [ "solitary", "schooling" ], "category": "fish", "category_name": "Fish", "common_name": "Giant oceanic manta ray", "conservation_status": "EN", "conservation_status_name": "Endangered", "created_at": "2026-04-20T12:32:24.849203+00:00", "danger_level": "harmless", "danger_level_name": "Harmless", "depth_max_m": 1000, "depth_min_m": 0, "featured": true, "fishbase_id": null, "full_description": "Manta birostris (synonym Mobula birostris) reaches 7 m wingspan and 2 tons, the largest ray in the world. Black back with white T-shaped markings on shoulders, white belly with individual black spots allowing photo-ID identification. Two fleshy deployable cephalic fins forming funnel to filter plankton. Circumtropical and subtropical pelagic distribution, famous aggregations at Socorro (Mexico), Galapagos, Maldives, Mozambique (Tofo), Cape Verde. IUCN Endangered. Trophy dive photo subject, moving encounter with these peaceful giants.", "gbif_key": 2419163, "habitats": [ "open-water" ], "human_interaction": {}, "id": "88888888-8888-8888-8888-888888888888", "inaturalist_taxon_id": 623966, "language": "en", "photo": "https://skfqeznlqqprmvamwyrf.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/species-photos/commons-fdce5702570bdd91.jpg", "photo_credit": "\u00a9 Daniel Sasse / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)", "photos": [ { "credit": "\u00a9 Daniel Sasse / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)", "is_primary": true, "url": "https://skfqeznlqqprmvamwyrf.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/species-photos/commons-fdce5702570bdd91.jpg" } ], "pictograms": [], "scientific_name": "Manta birostris", "short_description": "Largest ray in the world (7 m wingspan), iconic pelagic of tropical seamounts, IUCN Endangered.", "size_max_cm": 700, "size_min_cm": 450, "slug": "manta-birostris", "taxonomy": { "class": "Elasmobranchii", "family": "Mobulidae", "genus": "Manta", "kingdom": "Animalia", "order": "Myliobatiformes", "phylum": "Chordata" }, "translations": [ { "common_name": "Giant oceanic manta ray", "full_description": "Manta birostris (synonym Mobula birostris) reaches 7 m wingspan and 2 tons, the largest ray in the world. Black back with white T-shaped markings on shoulders, white belly with individual black spots allowing photo-ID identification. Two fleshy deployable cephalic fins forming funnel to filter plankton. Circumtropical and subtropical pelagic distribution, famous aggregations at Socorro (Mexico), Galapagos, Maldives, Mozambique (Tofo), Cape Verde. IUCN Endangered. Trophy dive photo subject, moving encounter with these peaceful giants.", "language": "en", "short_description": "Largest ray in the world (7 m wingspan), iconic pelagic of tropical seamounts, IUCN Endangered." }, { "common_name": "Raie manta oc\u00e9anique", "full_description": "Manta birostris (synonyme Mobula birostris) atteint 7 m d'envergure et 2 tonnes, la plus grande raie au monde. Dos noir avec marques blanches en T sur les \u00e9paules, ventre blanc avec taches noires individuelles permettant l'identification par photo-ID. Deux nageoires c\u00e9phaliques charnues d\u00e9ployables formant entonnoir pour filtrer le plancton. Distribution circumtropicale et subtropicale p\u00e9lagique, agr\u00e9gations c\u00e9l\u00e8bres \u00e0 Socorro (Mexique), Gal\u00e1pagos, Maldives, Mozambique (Tofo), Cap-Vert. Class\u00e9e En Danger UICN. Sujet photo plong\u00e9e troph\u00e9e, rencontre \u00e9mouvante avec ces g\u00e9ants paisibles.", "language": "fr", "short_description": "Plus grande raie au monde (7 m d'envergure), p\u00e9lagique iconique des seamounts tropicaux, En Danger UICN." }, { "common_name": "Manta gigante oce\u00e1nica", "full_description": "Manta birostris (sin\u00f3nimo Mobula birostris) alcanza 7 m de envergadura y 2 toneladas, la mayor raya del mundo. Dorso negro con marcas blancas en T en hombros, vientre blanco con manchas negras individuales que permiten identificaci\u00f3n por foto-ID. Dos aletas cef\u00e1licas carnosas desplegables formando embudo para filtrar plancton. Distribuci\u00f3n circumtropical y subtropical pel\u00e1gica, agregaciones famosas en Socorro (M\u00e9xico), Gal\u00e1pagos, Maldivas, Mozambique (Tofo), Cabo Verde. Clasificada En Peligro UICN. Sujeto fotogr\u00e1fico trofeo, encuentro emotivo con estos gigantes pac\u00edficos.", "language": "es", "short_description": "Mayor raya del mundo (7 m de envergadura), pel\u00e1gica ic\u00f3nica de montes submarinos tropicales, En Peligro UICN." } ], "updated_at": "2026-04-24T20:10:19.122848+00:00", "url": "https://species.blue/en/species/manta-birostris", "zone_names": [ "Asian Pacific", "Caribbean", "East Atlantic", "Eastern Pacific", "Indian Ocean & Red Sea", "Macaronesia" ], "zones": [ "asian-pacific", "caribbean", "east-atlantic", "eastern-pacific", "indian-red-sea", "macaronesia" ] } } ``` ### List categories List the 13 kinds of marine life speCies.blue sorts its species into, from fish, molluscs and crustaceans to sponges and tunicates, each with how many species it has, the largest first. **Inputs** - Language (`language`, text): The language of the common names, the descriptions and the category, status and danger names. English by default; scientific names are the same in all three. One of: `en` (English), `fr` (French), `es` (Spanish). Default: `en`. **Outputs** - `categories` (list): Every category, the one with the most species first. - `count` (number): How many categories there are. - `language` (text): The language the names and descriptions are in: en, fr or es. - `total_species` (number): How many species there are in all of them. **Example output** ```json { "categories": [ { "id": "fish", "name": "Fish", "species_count": 926, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/fish" }, { "id": "mollusk", "name": "Mollusc", "species_count": 196, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/mollusk" }, { "id": "crustacean", "name": "Crustacean", "species_count": 80, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/crustacean" }, { "id": "coral", "name": "Coral", "species_count": 71, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/coral" }, { "id": "echinoderm", "name": "Echinoderm", "species_count": 62, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/echinoderm" }, { "id": "algae", "name": "Algae", "species_count": 60, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/algae" }, { "id": "mammal", "name": "Mammal", "species_count": 29, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/mammal" }, { "id": "cnidarian", "name": "Cnidarian", "species_count": 22, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/cnidarian" }, { "id": "worm", "name": "Worm", "species_count": 18, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/worm" }, { "id": "sponge", "name": "Sponge", "species_count": 17, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/sponge" }, { "id": "reptile", "name": "Reptile", "species_count": 11, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/reptile" }, { "id": "tunicate", "name": "Tunicate", "species_count": 10, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/tunicate" }, { "id": "other", "name": "Other", "species_count": 3, "url": "https://species.blue/en/categories/other" } ], "count": 13, "language": "en", "total_species": 1505 } ``` ### List ocean zones List the ocean zones speCies.blue covers, such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, each with the waters it takes in, how many species are found there and the centre of its map. **Inputs** - Language (`language`, text): The language of the common names, the descriptions and the category, status and danger names. English by default; scientific names are the same in all three. One of: `en` (English), `fr` (French), `es` (Spanish). Default: `en`. **Outputs** - `count` (number): How many zones there are. - `language` (text): The language the names and descriptions are in: en, fr or es. - `zones` (list): Every zone, in the order speCies.blue shows them. **Example output** ```json { "count": 7, "language": "en", "zones": [ { "description": "From the Azores to Cape Verde, including the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Atlantic coasts from Portugal to Senegal.", "id": "macaronesia", "latitude": 28.5, "longitude": -16, "name": "Macaronesia", "species_count": 351, "url": "https://species.blue/en/zones/macaronesia" }, { "description": "The entire Mediterranean Sea, fauna and flora.", "id": "mediterranean", "latitude": 38, "longitude": 15, "name": "Mediterranean", "species_count": 535, "url": "https://species.blue/en/zones/mediterranean" }, { "description": "From the Red Sea to the Java Sea, including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.", "id": "indian-red-sea", "latitude": 15, "longitude": 55, "name": "Indian Ocean & Red Sea", "species_count": 614, "url": "https://species.blue/en/zones/indian-red-sea" }, { "description": "From Indonesia to Polynesia and from Australia to Japan.", "id": "asian-pacific", "latitude": 0, "longitude": 135, "name": "Asian Pacific", "species_count": 706, "url": "https://species.blue/en/zones/asian-pacific" }, { "description": "From the Bahamas to the Caribbean, including the Gulf of Mexico.", "id": "caribbean", "latitude": 18, "longitude": -75, "name": "Caribbean", "species_count": 499, "url": "https://species.blue/en/zones/caribbean" }, { "description": "From the Scandinavian coasts to Galicia.", "id": "east-atlantic", "latitude": 50, "longitude": -5, "name": "East Atlantic", "species_count": 541, "url": "https://species.blue/en/zones/east-atlantic" }, { "description": "Tropical and subtropical eastern Pacific Ocean, including Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, Socorro and Revillagigedo archipelago, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), and Pacific coasts of Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Home to unique fauna shaped by upwellings, Humboldt Current and deep volcanic seamounts.", "id": "eastern-pacific", "latitude": 13.5, "longitude": -103.5, "name": "Eastern Pacific", "species_count": 597, "url": "https://species.blue/en/zones/eastern-pacific" } ] } ``` ### List species List speCies.blue's marine species a page at a time with the real total, in order of scientific name, narrowed by category, IUCN status, danger to divers, ocean zone, size or depth, or only those speCies.blue features. Each comes with its names, photo, status, danger, size and depth, in the language you choose. **Inputs** - Category (`category`, text): Only species of this kind, such as fish, corals or molluscs. One of: `fish`, `coral`, `mollusk` (Mollusc), `crustacean`, `echinoderm`, `reptile`, `mammal`, `algae`, `sponge`, `cnidarian`, and 3 more. - IUCN status (`conservation_status`, text): Only species with this IUCN Red List status, such as Endangered or Critically Endangered. One of: `LC` (Least Concern (LC)), `NT` (Near Threatened (NT)), `VU` (Vulnerable (VU)), `EN` (Endangered (EN)), `CR` (Critically Endangered (CR)), `EW` (Extinct in the Wild (EW)), `EX` (Extinct (EX)), `DD` (Data Deficient (DD)), `NE` (Not Evaluated (NE)). - Danger to divers (`danger_level`, text): Only species with this danger to divers, such as Venomous for those with a painful sting or spines. One of: `harmless`, `caution`, `venomous`, `toxic`, `electric`, `aggressive`. - Ocean zone (`zone`, text): Only species found in this ocean zone, such as the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. List ocean zones describes each one. One of: `macaronesia`, `mediterranean`, `indian-red-sea` (Indian Ocean & Red Sea), `asian-pacific` (Asian Pacific), `caribbean`, `east-atlantic` (East Atlantic), `eastern-pacific` (Eastern Pacific). - Featured only (`featured_only`, true/false): Only the species speCies.blue features, a little over half of them. Default: `false`. - Min size (cm) (`min_size_cm`, number): Optional. Only species that grow to at least this length, in centimetres, such as 100 for the big ones. At least 0. - Max size (cm) (`max_size_cm`, number): Optional. Only species that can be this length or smaller, in centimetres, such as 5 for macro subjects. With Min size, species whose size range overlaps the one given. At least 0. - Min depth (m) (`min_depth_m`, number): Optional. Only species seen at this depth or deeper, in metres. At least 0. - Max depth (m) (`max_depth_m`, number): Optional. Only species seen at this depth or shallower, in metres, such as 18 for an open water diver. With Min depth, species whose depth range overlaps the one given. At least 0. - Language (`language`, text): The language of the common names, the descriptions and the category, status and danger names. English by default; scientific names are the same in all three. One of: `en` (English), `fr` (French), `es` (Spanish). Default: `en`. - Page (`page`, number): Which page of results to return, starting at 1. Leave empty for the first page. A page past the last one returns no species, but still gives the real total. At least 1. - Page size (`page_size`, number): How many species a page holds, from 1 to 100. Defaults to 20. From 1 to 100. Default: `20`. **Outputs** - `language` (text): The language the names and descriptions are in: en, fr or es. - `page` (number): The page this is, from 1. - `page_size` (number): How many species a page holds. - `pages` (number): How many pages the matches fill; 0 when none match. - `species` (list): This page of the species that match, in order of scientific name. Empty when none match or the page is past the last one. - `total` (number): How many species match, across every page. **Example output** ```json { "language": "en", "page": 1, "page_size": 2, "pages": 6, "species": [ { "aphia_id": 344019, "behaviors": [ "benthic", "diurnal" ], "category": "reptile", "category_name": "Reptile", "common_name": "Galapagos Marine Iguana", "conservation_status": "VU", "conservation_status_name": "Vulnerable", "danger_level": "harmless", "danger_level_name": "Harmless", "depth_max_m": 15, "depth_min_m": 0, "featured": true, "habitats": [ "rocky-reef" ], "id": "6470c149-61b5-4a1d-8d87-9a3047342129", "inaturalist_taxon_id": 35347, "photo": "https://skfqeznlqqprmvamwyrf.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/species-photos/commons-2d4ba5b20621b500.jpg", "pictograms": [], "scientific_name": "Amblyrhynchus cristatus", "short_description": "World's only marine lizard, endemic to Galapagos, dives to graze on algae.", "size_max_cm": 120, "size_min_cm": 60, "slug": "amblyrhynchus-cristatus", "updated_at": "2026-04-24T22:06:25.779401+00:00", "url": "https://species.blue/en/species/amblyrhynchus-cristatus" }, { "aphia_id": 137205, "behaviors": [ "solitary", "migratory" ], "category": "reptile", "category_name": "Reptile", "common_name": "Loggerhead turtle", "conservation_status": "VU", "conservation_status_name": "Vulnerable", "danger_level": "harmless", "danger_level_name": "Harmless", "depth_max_m": 100, "depth_min_m": 0, "featured": true, "habitats": [ "open-water", "reef" ], "id": "55400ec6-e823-441d-815f-bc10d25a87da", "inaturalist_taxon_id": 39665, "photo": "https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/183028089/large.jpeg", "pictograms": [], "scientific_name": "Caretta caretta", "short_description": "Large cosmopolitan marine turtle with massive head, documented transoceanic migrations.", "size_max_cm": 113, "size_min_cm": 70, "slug": "caretta-caretta", "updated_at": "2026-04-24T20:04:24.332165+00:00", "url": "https://species.blue/en/species/caretta-caretta" } ], "total": 11 } ``` ### Search species Search speCies.blue's marine species by common name in English, French or Spanish, or by scientific name, whole or in part, such as shark, requin or Manta. Returns up to 50 matches, each with its names, photo, IUCN status, danger to divers, size and depth, in the language you choose. **Inputs** - Search for (`query`, text, required): Part of a common name in English, French or Spanish, or of a scientific name, such as shark, requin or Manta. At least 2 letters. Accents count, as speCies.blue matches names as they are written. - Language (`language`, text): The language of the common names, the descriptions and the category, status and danger names. English by default; scientific names are the same in all three. One of: `en` (English), `fr` (French), `es` (Spanish). Default: `en`. **Outputs** - `count` (number): How many species were found, 50 at most. - `language` (text): The language the names and descriptions are in: en, fr or es. - `may_have_more` (true/false): True when speCies.blue returned its most, 50, so more species may match: search for something narrower. - `query` (text): What was searched for, as it was sent. - `species` (list): The species that match, as speCies.blue orders them. Empty when none do. **Example output** ```json { "count": 3, "language": "en", "may_have_more": false, "query": "manta", "species": [ { "aphia_id": 105857, "behaviors": [ "solitary", "schooling" ], "category": "fish", "category_name": "Fish", "common_name": "Giant oceanic manta ray", "conservation_status": "EN", "conservation_status_name": "Endangered", "danger_level": "harmless", "danger_level_name": "Harmless", "depth_max_m": 1000, "depth_min_m": 0, "featured": true, "habitats": [ "open-water" ], "id": "88888888-8888-8888-8888-888888888888", "inaturalist_taxon_id": 623966, "photo": "https://skfqeznlqqprmvamwyrf.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/species-photos/commons-fdce5702570bdd91.jpg", "pictograms": [], "scientific_name": "Manta birostris", "short_description": "Largest ray in the world (7 m wingspan), iconic pelagic of tropical seamounts, IUCN Endangered.", "size_max_cm": 700, "size_min_cm": 450, "slug": "manta-birostris", "updated_at": "2026-04-24T20:10:19.122848+00:00", "url": "https://species.blue/en/species/manta-birostris" }, { "aphia_id": 1042871, "behaviors": [ "solitary", "schooling" ], "category": "fish", "category_name": "Fish", "common_name": "Reef manta ray", "conservation_status": "VU", "conservation_status_name": "Vulnerable", "danger_level": "harmless", "danger_level_name": "Harmless", "depth_max_m": 400, "depth_min_m": 0, "featured": true, "habitats": [ "open-water", "coral-reef" ], "id": "67bb3882-dd38-481c-bace-149e68865b7a", "inaturalist_taxon_id": 623965, "photo": "https://skfqeznlqqprmvamwyrf.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/species-photos/commons-fe55cc84ef4a8591.jpg", "pictograms": [], "scientific_name": "Mobula alfredi", "short_description": "Coastal manta with white belly and identifying marks, iconic cleaning stations Indo-Pacific.", "size_max_cm": 500, "size_min_cm": 300, "slug": "mobula-alfredi", "updated_at": "2026-04-24T20:06:53.213095+00:00", "url": "https://species.blue/en/species/mobula-alfredi" }, { "aphia_id": 105858, "behaviors": [ "solitary", "schooling" ], "category": "fish", "category_name": "Fish", "common_name": "Giant devil ray", "conservation_status": "EN", "conservation_status_name": "Endangered", "danger_level": "harmless", "danger_level_name": "Harmless", "depth_max_m": 1100, "depth_min_m": 0, "featured": true, "habitats": [ "open-water" ], "id": "898c8509-839f-40aa-918f-656797f418e7", "inaturalist_taxon_id": 105923, "photo": "https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/222401000/large.jpg", "pictograms": [], "scientific_name": "Mobula mobular", "short_description": "Only common mobula in Mediterranean, reaches 5 m wingspan, acrobat flying out of water.", "size_max_cm": 520, "size_min_cm": 300, "slug": "mobula-mobular", "updated_at": "2026-04-24T20:06:24.578552+00:00", "url": "https://species.blue/en/species/mobula-mobular" } ] } ```