Fishbase

FishBase is a global information system covering all aspects of fish biology, ecology, population dynamics, life history, and usage by humans. The information is provided in monthly updates at http://www.fishbase.org/. Occurrence data stem mostly from museum collections, less from surveys and the scientific literature; in addition, about 1,000 observation records were reported by the public (fish watchers). Fish were collected with varying gear and deposit of specimens; also trawl surveys and a few individual observations, e.g. by anglers or divers. Habitat coverage includes, marine, brackish, and freshwater.

FishBase is a relational database with information to cater to different professionals such as research scientists, fisheries managers, zoologists and many more. FishBase on the web contains practically all fish species known to science. The FishBase 2000 release summarizes the accumulation and structuring of knowledge on fish biology and ecology over the more than 10 years since its inception. FishBase 2000 now covers over 25,000 species of fish known to science, has over 70,000 synonyms and 100,000 common names in over 200 languages. The names are the key to accessing knowledge accumulated over time and mobilising scientific and non-scientific knowledge systems. Over 25,000 pictures illustrate these fish and information about them has been extracted from 20,000 references. The classification of higher taxa follows the version of Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes updated in November 2000. The FishBase 2000 CD-ROM contains full information on 25,000 species and comes on 4 CD-ROMS.

This following information is for obtaining the CD version. The FishBase book has 344 pages and gives in-depth information about the concepts and data sources of FishBase. It can also be used as a textbook as it explains many concepts in the fields of biodiversity, fish and fisheries. You can order FishBase by sending a US$ 95 cheque from a US-based bank, payable to 'ICLARM', to ICLARM/FishBase, MCPO Box 2631, 0718 Makati City, Philippines. Alternatively, you can send a 99 cheque payable to FishBase, to FishBase, IfM, Duesternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany. Institutions can order FishBase with a regular invoice. Registered owners of previous copies of FishBase can obtain upgrades for US$ 50 or 55. Prices include shipping by airmail.

All classes of fishes are represented, Myxini (hagfishes), Cephalaspidomorphi (lampreys), Holocephali (chimaeras), Elasmobranchii (sharks & rays), Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes), and Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes), with altogether 29,200 of 30,000 estimated species.

The data can be accessed through the following web portals (see Related URL field below):
-OBIS, Ocean Biogeographic Information System, CoML (Census of Marine Life) web portal.
-EurOBIS, the European Ocean Biogeographique Information System.
-SCAR-MarBIN, the Marine Biodiversity Information Network, Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, International Council for Science.