r/whatisthisfish is a forum for identifying different species of fish. Before posting, check that your content doesn't violate our rules below. If your submission does not appear, message the mods to check the spam filter.

Subreddit Rules

We have 6 rules here at r/whatisthisfish. Breaking any of these rules may force us to remove your comment, or post. Repeat or blatant rule breaking will result in a permanent ban. Do NOT private message or use reddit chat to contact moderators about moderator actions. Only message the team via modmail. Directly messaging individual moderators may result in a ban.

0. Mod discretion always applies. We may remove content that is technically allowed under the rules if the team has good reason to believe it is detrimental to the community. Conversely, if something technically breaks the rules but we deem it beneficial to the community, we may choose to leave it up.

Please remember, you access this subreddit at the discretion of the mod team, and all rules are enforced at the mod team’s discretion. Moderators reserve the right to remove any content they deem harmful to the sub.

1. No off topic content, or joke posts. While we enjoy good humor, this is foremost an educational subreddit. Comments such as "Yup, definitely a fish." Or, "His name is Jerry." will be removed. Repeat or blatant offenders will incur a ban. This type of content is not original or funny, and makes it more difficult to get actual answers. We are not a forum for casual conversation. We are an educational ID forum, for identifying fish, and we expect all content to reflect that.

2. Do not make blind/random guesses. Our goal is to provide positive leads; false leads are counter-productive, e.g. "similar looking" is rarely good enough at the species level. If one is unfamiliar with the taxon, practice diligence, e.g. check other members of the taxon, as well as those of higher taxa. If you aren't 100% sure, leave the ID to someone more knowledgeable.

3. Tag images involving death or gore as NSFW. Can I submit a dead fish for ID? Yes, but please bear in mind it’s always easier to ID living specimens. While we realize that extermination is sometimes necessary, comments promoting gratuitous violence against fish, or causing unnecessary suffering, (“kill it with fire” etc.) will be removed. Linking to subs that explicitly promote hatred is not allowed. Images containing death or gore (within reason; for example, stuffed specimens are exempt) must be tagged as NSFW.

4. Refrain from posting bites/injury related posts. We CANNOT and WILL NOT diagnose injuries or identify fish that allegedly caused bites/injuries. Seek medical advice, not our advice.

5. No monetary exchanges.

6. Don't Be a Jerk. Follow reddit's rules and "reddiquette".

Submission Guidelines

Got a photo of a fish you'd like identified? Submit it here and we'll try to figure it out together! Best view for ID is top-down, well-lit, low-contrast photos. Pictures are preferable to videos for ID requests but we'll work with what you have.

• Indicate the geographic location.

• Take the clearest and most detailed photo(s) possible.

• Indicate the size. The more precise the better.

Provide any other information you feel could help!

FAQs & Wiki/Misc. Links

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• r/whatisthisfish
• r/whatsthisfish

ID Subreddits

• r/whatsthisplant
• r/whatsthisrock
• r/animalid
• r/whatsthisbug
• r/whatsthisbird
• r/whatsthissnake

Sidebar last updated on October 31st, 2023. Rules are subject to change at the mod team's discretion.