Fish identification in the field
A name is more reliable when you record features before opening a guide.
Safety and training
General field notes, not a dive plan. Stay within your training, follow local site rules and the operator’s briefing.
Field observation
Note shape, fin placement, markings, size estimate and habitat. Colours can shift with light, age and behaviour; a single photograph may conceal the decisive feature.
A practical approach
Use a slate or log after the dive, compare regional guides and mark uncertain identifications as tentative.
Dive-day checklist
Before you go
- Check local conditions and access rules
- Agree limits and the exit with your buddy
- Stop or change the plan if conditions differ
General guidance only. Follow your training, the dive operator’s procedures, and each manufacturer’s current instructions.
Ask the dive guide
Personal guidance for your next dive
Describe a dive scenario or an equipment-care question. The guide answers in your language and points you to relevant journal articles.
General educational guidance only. It is not medical advice, emergency instruction or a replacement for training, certification, manufacturer instructions, your operator's briefing or your dive plan.