FishBase

FishBase is a comprehensive, publicly accessible online database of information about fish species. It compiles taxonomic classifications, distributions, ecological roles, life-history traits, morphology, behavior, and fisheries and aquaculture data for cartilaginous and bony fishes. The project aims to provide a reliable, up-to-date reference for researchers, policymakers, educators, and practitioners worldwide.

Established in 1996 by Rainer Froese and Daniel Pauly, FishBase is developed under the FishBase Consortium and is hosted and maintained with input from researchers globally. Data are drawn from the scientific literature and expert contributions and are curated by editors to ensure quality and consistency. The database is linked to related resources such as SeaLifeBase, a sister project focusing on aquatic organisms beyond fish.

FishBase pages provide taxonomic information, common and scientific names, distribution maps, habitat, diet, reproduction and growth parameters, and references. It also includes data useful for fisheries assessment and management, such as catch statistics, fishery status, and production parameters, where available. Images and occurrence data help support identification and biodiversity studies.

Users include scientists, students, government agencies, NGOs, and industry professionals who rely on the data for research, stock assessments, conservation planning, and education. The site is open access and free to use, with data and bibliographic references that can be cited in scholarly work, subject to attribution guidelines.