Examples of animals that live in water include fish, alligators, crocodiles, beavers, and clams.
The ocean is vast and beautiful, but it’s also full of creatures that are quite different from the ones found on land. There are many animals living in water all over the world, some of which you may not have seen before.
This blog post will go into detail about what these animals eat, where they live, how they reproduce, and more.
Let’s take a closer look at some aquatic animals to see how their habitats differ from ours.
Examples of Animals that live in Water
1. Alligators
| Scientific Name | Alligator |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | the U.S. Southeast |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The alligator is a large, fearsome reptile that can be found in freshwater habitats such as swamps, marshes, and rivers. They are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of their food chain and have no natural enemies.
Alligators primarily eat fish, turtles, and rodents, but they will also take down larger prey.
2. Angelfish
| Scientific Name | Pterophyllum |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | tropical South America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Angelfish are a type of reef fish that live in tropical oceans. They mostly eat small crustaceans, but will also consume other protein sources when they can find them. Angelfish typically inhabit shallow coral reefs, with some living as deep as 600 feet below the surface.
3. Angler fish
| Scientific Name | Lophiiformes |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | murky depths of the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Anglerfish are a type of fish that live in temperate and tropical waters all over the world. They have a long, fleshy spine that protrudes from their heads which they use to lure prey towards them.
Anglerfish typically eat small fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. They reproduce by attaching their eggs to the fins of another fish called a host, which then carries them in its body until they hatch.
Anglerfish are also known for their bioluminescent lures and the appendages on their heads that resemble human arms.
4. Barnacle
| Scientific Name | Cirripedia |
| Type of Animal | Crustacean |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
These small creatures attach themselves to rocks, boats or any other surface near water. They filter plankton from the water to eat and can be found in all types of marine environments.
5. Catfish
| Scientific Name | Siluriformes |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Catfish are a type of fish that can be found in both fresh and saltwater. They have a long, slender body and a wide head with protruding whiskers called barbels. Catfish use their barbels to feel around for food on the bottom of rivers and lakes.
6. Clam
| Scientific Name | Bivalvia |
| Type of Animal | Mollusk |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The clam is a mollusk that lives in saltwater, and it can be found all over the world. There are thousands of species of clams; they vary greatly in size from as small as one inch to over eight inches long.
Related Article: 15 Examples of Animals Without Brains
7. Clownfish
| Scientific Name | Amphiprioninae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Red Sea and Pacific Oceans |
| Diet | Omnivore |
These fish live in the ocean, near coral reefs. They are brightly colored and their bodies look like anemones (a family of animals that can sting). Clownfish are very friendly and non-aggressive; they won’t bother other creatures unless they feel threatened.
8. Cod Fish
| Scientific Name | Gadus morhua |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Greenland to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The codfish is found in the Atlantic Ocean and lives near Iceland, Norway, and Greenland. They usually stay within a depth of 200 meters below water where there are lots of rocks for protection from predators as well as prey to feed on.
9. Coral
| Scientific Name | Anthozoa |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Coral is a type of marine life that can be found in both salt and fresh water. It is a small, invertebrate animal that attaches itself to rocks or other submerged objects. Coral polyps have tentacles that they use to capture food like plankton and fish eggs.
10. Crab
| Scientific Name | Brachyura |
| Type of Animal | Crustacean |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Crabs are found in both salt and fresh water, but they prefer to live in estuaries, which are bodies of water that connect rivers and the ocean. Crabs can be herbivores or carnivores, depending on the species. Some eat algae while others prey on smaller aquatic animals.
11. Crayfish
| Scientific Name | Palinuridae |
| Type of Animal | Crustacean |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans that can be found in many different parts of the world. They live in streams, ponds, and other bodies of water, and eat mostly plant material. Crayfish mate by transferring sperm from the male’s genital opening to the female’s mouth and the eggs are then fertilized internally.
12. Crocodile
| Scientific Name | Crocodylidae |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The crocodile is a large, predatory fish that inhabits the warm waters of Africa and Asia. These animals are ambush predators that wait for their prey to come close before attacking.
They have sharp teeth and powerful jaws that can crush bones with ease. Crocodiles mainly eat small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, but they will also take advantage of fish and other large animals that venture too close.
13. Cuttlefish
| Scientific Name | Sepiida |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | the eastern Atlantic Ocean |
| Diet | Carnivore |
These creatures are closely related to octopuses and squid, but they have a few distinct features that make them stand out. For one, cuttlefish can change the color of their skin in order to blend in with their surroundings.
They also have an organ called a chromatophore that allows them to create incredible patterns on their skin. Some of the patterns resemble those found on a leopard’s skin.
Cuttlefish are also very intelligent. In fact, they have been known to solve problems and learn from their mistakes over time.
14. Dolphin
| Scientific Name | Delphinus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Dolphins are aquatic mammals that can be found in all of the world’s oceans. They eat a variety of things, including fish, squid, and crustaceans.
Dolphins live in groups called pods, which can contain up to 100 dolphins. These animals reproduce sexually, and females give birth to one calf at a time.
15. Dugong
| Scientific Name | Dugong dugon |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
These marine mammals are related to manatees and they can be found in the waters near Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Dugongs eat seagrass and other plants that grow in shallow water. They have a unique reproductive system where the males fertilize the eggs inside of the female and she gives birth to live young.
16. Eel
| Scientific Name | Anguilliformes |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Many people are afraid of eels because they have long, slimy bodies and sharp teeth. However, despite their scary appearance, these oddly shaped fish are not as dangerous as you might think; in fact, many people eat them regularly.
Eels live on the ocean floor where it’s dark and muddy so that they can hide from predators or prey.
17. Jellyfish
| Scientific Name | Scyphozoa |
| Type of Animal | Invertebrate |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Jellyfish are very peculiar creatures. They float around the ocean, and their bodies consist of a mass of jelly-like material that contains hundreds to thousands of tiny eggs.
Jellyfish usually reproduce when they come into contact with other jellyfish or an object like a ship’s hull.
Read More: What Eats Jellyfish?
18. Lobster
| Scientific Name | Nephropidae |
| Type of Animal | Crustacean |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The lobster is a large marine crustacean. Lobsters are found in bodies of water that have cold temperatures, as well as rocky or sandy bottoms to carry out their daily activities. They eat just about anything.
19. Manatees
| Scientific Name | Trichechus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | United States |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Manatees are herbivores that live in warm coastal waters. They eat a variety of aquatic plants, and can be found near the surface or at the bottom of rivers and estuaries. These animals can weigh up to 1000 pounds and reach lengths of 13 feet.
20. Narwhal
| Scientific Name | Monodon monoceros |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Arctic |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The narwhal is a whale that lives in the Arctic Ocean. They are very elusive and few people have ever seen one in person. These whales eat mostly fish, but they will also consume squid and other invertebrates.
Narwhals reproduce sexually and give birth to calves that are about six feet long.
21. Octopus
| Scientific Name | Octopoda |
| Type of Animal | Cephalopod |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
These creatures have eight arms and no bones. They can eat prey that is twice their size and live in both salt and fresh water.
22. Oyster
| Scientific Name | Ostreidae |
| Type of Animal | Mollusk |
| Range | salty or brackish waters on all U.S. coasts |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The oyster is a bivalve mollusk that lives in saltwater habitats. They can be found near the shoreline or attached to rocks in deeper waters. These animals are filter feeders and eat plankton and other organic matter from the water.
23. Piranha
| Scientific Name | Pygocentrus nattereri |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | central and southern river systems of South America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The piranha is a carnivorous fish that lives in the Amazon River and its tributaries. These fish can grow up to 18 inches long, and they have sharp teeth that are perfect for tearing through flesh.
Piranhas mainly eat small animals like fish, but they will also scavenge on dead animal carcasses.
24. Prawn
| Scientific Name | Dendrobranchiata |
| Type of Animal | Crustacean |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The prawn is a type of crustacean that can be found in both salt and fresh water. They eat mostly plankton, but they will also scavenge on dead animals or plants. Prawns are typically found in shallow waters near the coast, but they can also be found in freshwater rivers and lakes.
25. River Otter
| Scientific Name | Lontra canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America from the Rio Grande to Canada and Alaska |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The river otter is a North American mammal that inhabits coastal areas and rivers. They are semiaquatic, meaning they live part of their lives in water and part on land. These animals primarily eat fish, but they will also consume crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, and small mammals.
26. Scallop
| Scientific Name | Pectinidae |
| Type of Animal | Mollusk |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The scallop is an aquatic animal that lives in the ocean. The scallop has a very hard shell, which it uses to protect itself from predators. If a predator tries to bite through its shell, the sharp edges will cut its mouth. Scallops are omnivores: they eat both plants and animals.
27. Sea Lion
| Scientific Name | Otariinae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America from southern Canada to mid-Mexico, and the Galápagos Islands |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The sea lion is a large mammal that can be found in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They are carnivores, meaning they eat meat, and their diet consists of fish, squid, and crustaceans. Sea lions live in coastal areas near the shoreline and use their strong tails to propel themselves through the water.
28. Sea Otter
| Scientific Name | Enhydra lutris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | shallow coastal waters in the northern Pacific |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The Sea Otter is a marine mammal that can be found in places like the North Pacific Ocean, Japan, and Russia. These animals are very playful.
In fact, they’re often seen swimming underwater with rocks or branches to play “toss” with their friends
29. Seahorse
| Scientific Name | Hippocampus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | New Zealand, Argentina, Eastern Canada, and the UK. |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Seah horses live in the ocean and feed on plankton, which they can catch with their long snout. They are also popular to keep as pets.
30. Seal
| Scientific Name | Pinnipedia |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | along most coasts and cold waters |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Seals live in cold water, and they have thick fur to keep them warm. They eat fish, squid, and crabs.
They can be found in the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
31. Shark
| Scientific Name | Selachimorpha |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
This large fish is a fearsome predator that lives in the ocean. They can be found all over the world and are an important part of maintaining balance within their ecosystems.
32. Shrimp
| Scientific Name | Caridea |
| Type of Animal | Crustacean |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Shrimp are a type of crustacean that can be found in both salt and fresh water. They mostly eat algae and small invertebrates, but they will also scavenge for food on the ocean floor. Shrimp reproduce by laying eggs, which hatch into larva that live in the water until they grow big enough to become adults.
33. Sea Slug
| Scientific Name | Gastropoda |
| Type of Animal | Gastropod |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | herbivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous, and detritivorous |
The sea slug is a mollusk that lives in the ocean. Its bright colors and long body make it an easy animal to spot from afar.
Sea slugs are carnivorous animals; they eat small fish like herring or anchovies.
More examples of Animals that live in Water
- Snail
- Squid
- Starfish
- Stingray
- Tuna
- Turtle
- Walrus
- Whale
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.