FishBase: What you need to know

What is FishBase?

FishBase is a global online database that provides comprehensive information on all species of fish known to science. The database is maintained by the FishBase Consortium, a partnership of international organizations and institutions, and is hosted by the FishBase Information and Research Group, based at the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences in Germany.

FishBase provides detailed information on the taxonomy, distribution, biology, ecology, and fisheries of each fish species, including their common names, scientific names, synonyms, and images. The database also contains information on the habitat, behavior, reproduction, feeding, and population status of each species, as well as its importance to fisheries and its conservation status.

FishBase is freely available online at www.fishbase.se, and it is used by scientists, fisheries managers, policymakers, educators, and the public to study and understand the diversity of fish species in the world’s oceans and freshwater bodies.

How to cite FishBase?

If you are citing FishBase in a research paper or other publication, the following format is commonly used:

Author(s) (Year). Title. FishBase. Available at http://www.fishbase.se. Accessed on [date of access].

For example:

Smith, J. and Brown, T. (2022). Canis lupus. FishBase. Available at http://www.fishbase.se. Accessed on March 17, 2023.

In the example above, “Canis lupus” is a hypothetical species being cited, and “Smith, J. and Brown, T.” are the authors of the FishBase database entry. The date of access should be the date that you accessed the database to retrieve the information.

8 Things you didn’t know about fishBase

1. FishBase is one of the most comprehensive databases of fish species in the world, containing information on over 34,000 fish species.
2. FishBase is maintained by the FishBase Information and Research Group at the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences in Germany, with support from a global network of taxonomic experts.
3. The database includes information on the taxonomy, distribution, biology, ecology, and fisheries of each fish species, as well as its importance to human populations.
4. FishBase also provides tools for calculating population growth, assessing fisheries management practices, and modeling the impacts of climate change on fish populations.
5. The FishBase website is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience.
6. FishBase has been used in a wide range of research applications, including the identification of new fish species, the development of sustainable fisheries practices, and the conservation of threatened and endangered fish species.
7. FishBase is frequently updated with new species descriptions and taxonomic revisions, ensuring that the database remains up-to-date and accurate.
8. FishBase is a valuable resource for fisheries managers, policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in the diversity of fish species worldwide.