There are over a million species of marine creatures known to man. Naming them can be a little daunting when a new one is discovered. Some divers and researchers who have been blessed to bring new marine creatures to the public have quite the sense of humor when it comes to giving their discoveries names.
Some of these aquatic animals have common names that depict a certain physical feature or habit that reminds scientists of another animal more readily identifiable by the public. Of course, each of the species has a full scientific name, but the names people know them by best are a lot more fun.
Pigfish
There are several pictures floating around cyberspace of a fish with a pig snout, large pig ears, and even four legs with fins where the hooves of a pig would appear. In reality, a pigfish is simply a modest-sized fish commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico and brackish rivers and streams. The name ‘pigfish’ is thought to have come from the grunting noise they make when captured.
Lionfish
This spiny and poisonous beauty is one of the more aptly named marine creatures. Its defense mechanisms give it a real edge in the underwater jungle. In spite of the poison-tipped spines on the lionfish, also known as pterois, it is a relatively passive ocean dweller.
Lizardfish
The mottled brown coloring typical of the lizardfish, along with a long wide mouth and lizard-shaped head give this toothy creature its common name. Also known as the synodontidae, it has several rows of sharp teeth that are easily seen even when their mouth is closed.
Zebra Shark
Zebra sharks are one of the marine creatures that come by their name for visual reasons. Their light gray body is covered with black spots and all along the length of their body stripes matching the lighter base color of their bodies break up the mottling so that they bear resemblance to a zebra. However, as the zebra shark ages it loses its stripes to become totally mottled with spots.
Eagle Ray
The eagle ray gets its name from its ability to jump several feet from the water. With its large “wingspan” of fins it has the look of an eagle in flight.
Sea Spider
Of all the marine creatures named for land or air species, the sea spider is most true to its name. It really and truly looks like a spider. It has many legs, although not always eight. Usually the multiple, long, thin legs are accompanied by a slender body running down the center. They come in a wide variety of colors and live in the deeper areas of the seas.
Sea Robin
Although these beautiful birds of the ocean are bottom feeders, sea robins look like they could take flight easily. Also known as gurnards, these fish commonly live in about 600 feet of water in deeper areas of the oceans. When swimming, they have large pectoral fins that spread out like wings and move in a flying motion through the water.
Frogfish
The frogfish looks a little bit like a big blob of coral sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor. Their name comes from its habit of sitting motionless in wait, and catching other marine species with a flick of its head and a quick mouth as prey swims by.
Catfish
The only part of the catfish’s appearance or behavior that resembles a cat is their long, strong whiskers. Catfish use their whiskers to feel their surroundings much like a cat does with their facial whiskers.
Elephant Seal
These massive creatures are also known as sea elephants. They get their name from their massive body size, deep gray body color and huge nose. Elephant seals also make an elephant-like trumpet roar when angry.
