Sealife guideExplore the wonders of sea life

Last updated on 09/25/2025 at 11:32 PM
Explore the amazing biodiversity of sea life !
Explore the amazing biodiversity of sea life ! © | Dreamstime.com
Marine life is organized in the form of a tree, better known as a phylogenetic tree, where each branch, called a phylum, groups together marine species that share common characteristics.
An ocean sample with its marine fauna and flora
The main phyla of marine life we will explore are:
In turn, the phyla are divided into classes and families.
The different phyla are arranged from the least to the most evolved, meaning that phyla containing the least evolved marine species are represented by the lower branches of the tree, while those containing the most evolved are found at the higher branches.
Consequently, the higher we climb in the branches of the marine life tree, the more evolved the species become.
Marine plants represented by a Posidonia seagrass meadow
Marine plants represented by a Posidonia seagrass meadow
The spiny lobster, an arthropod of the crustacean class
The spiny lobster, an arthropod of the crustacean class
The large sponge family with the yellow tube sponge !
The large sponge family with the yellow tube sponge !
A school of barracudas in the Mediterranean sea
A school of barracudas in the Mediterranean sea
If you're looking for information on a specific alga, sponge, shellfish, crab, sea star, sea urchin, sea anemone or fish, we invite you to explore the full range of marine flora and fauna in our marine life guide !
Latest marine life updates
Explore the latest marine life news, from fascinating flora and fauna to underwater photo exhibitions, contests and festivals. Follow scientific expeditions, browse our identification guides and dive into must-read books.

Our latestUpdates

The common sea fan
Friday, November 7th 2025
The common sea fan
The common sea fan, is a type of soft coral found in the warm, shallow waters of the Caribbean and the western Atlantic ocean. It grows in wide, fan-shaped forms that sway gently with the ocean currents, helping it catch tiny food particles drifting by. Its beautiful purple branches are covered by a thin living tissue that hosts tiny algae, which provide much of the coral's energy through sunlight.
The leopard blenny
Thursday, October 30th 2025
The leopard blenny
The leopard blenny is a small reef fish from the Indo-Pacific ocean. It is easily recognized by its spotted coloration, which resembles that of a leopard. It lives on shallow coral reefs, feeds mainly on algae and polyps and skillfully camouflages among the corals to avoid predators.
The Spanish slipper lobster
Monday, October 27th 2025
The Spanish slipper lobster
The Spanish slipper lobster is a colorful crustacean found around reefs in the tropical waters of the northwestern Atlantic. Its flattened body and distinctive antennae allow it to hide in crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed on benthic invertebrates.
Photo of the Day
Sabelle magnifique (Sabellastarte magnifica)
Sabelle magnifique
(Sabellastarte magnifica)