# Fishes: Greater Caribbean

> Offline identification guide for Caribbean shore-fish with detailed species information and images. (iPhone/iPad app by Smithsonian Institution.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fishes-greater-caribbean/id570048678 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Smithsonian Institution](https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 14 App Store ratings · 19 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: +4
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 817 MB
- Languages: European Spanish, American English
- Released: 2012-10-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fishes-greater-caribbean/id570048678/reviews.md

## What is Fishes?

An identification guide for the shore-fish fauna of the Caribbean and adjacent areas. This App is the second of a set of 2 portable identification guides for Apple touch-screen devices that will cover the shore-fish faunas of the tropical American marine regions on both sides of the central American Isthmus: the Tropical Eastern Pacific, the Greater Caribbean (Caribbean and adjacent areas).

This stand-alone App, which was adapted from the 2012 website Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean: online information system (www.stri.org/sfgc), works independently of the internet.

• Complete English and Spanish interfaces. Connect to the Spanish interface by setting Spanish in the language preference of your device.

• Covers 1,693 species, with over 8,200 images to help identify them. Users can select to work with either the entire fauna, or with the Diver Group, a subset of 919 species that could be found within SCUBA diving depths on or adjacent to reefs in different parts of the region.

• A page for each species includes a detailed description (with information on its form, color, size, habitat and depth range), 1 or more species images (primarily photographs), key-features that distinguish it from similar species, a link to a page displaying similar species, and a map of its regional range.

• Browse among alphabetic lists of species and species-within-families, changing name-sorting between scientific and common (first or last) names.

• A search engine uses any combination of generic common names, location, habitat, and fish features (shape, color pattern and colors) to identify fishes.

• A glossary of scientific terms is linked to each species page. 

• The notebook module allows (1) review of recently visited species pages and (2) construction of lists that record observations about fishes. New lists can be assembled from scratch or by making blank copies of existing lists. Lists are organized in folders, and are downloadable by email.

• The iPad version includes glossary images, and high resolution range maps with dots indicating site records.

• New for this version: option to work with either the entire fauna or a diver subgroup; 94 more species and almost 50% more images; habitat added to the fish ID search engine.

## Key features

- Offline identification guide
- 1,693 species covered
- Over 8,200 images
- Detailed species descriptions
- Search engine for identification
- Customizable observation lists
- English and Spanish interfaces

## Recent user reviews (10 of 19)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fishes-greater-caribbean/id570048678/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Excelente

*2020-04-09, version 2.0.1*

Muy buena app te permite saber el nombre y localización de donde habitan estas especies así como fotos para identificarlos la recomiendo, es muy fácil de usar y tiene un modo para buceadores.

### 3/5 — Terminology issues

*2019-09-08*

Too much complex detail for young people. Would like to have the option to switch from metric to standard weights and measurements.

### 5/5 — The only app that does the job.

*2018-06-16*

If you see a saltwater fish in the Caribbean/Gulf region and you want an app to help you identify it, this is a MUST have. No other app comes close.  With patience, I’ve used it to identify over 50 different species out of Panama City Beach, FL with 100% confidence.

### 5/5 — Peces del Caribe

*2017-10-24*

Excelente guía para reconocer peces neotropicales, particularmente del Caribe en esta App. Magnificas fotos y abundantes. La App es muy amigable y se puede clasificar por familias, especies, nombre común.
Muy útil para buceadores y científicos del área.
Felicitaciones al STRI y la USB.

### 5/5 — Amazing and it's free

*2016-06-13*

This app is probably the best free app I have.  It has good searchability features and the opportunity to make notes about specific sea life you have seen.
There is informative and easy to read glossary and has good photos and descriptions to aid with identification
Highly recommended

### 3/5 — Like the app but issues with 6s

*2016-04-07*

Having issues with some data entry links. Please fix ASAP. Can't save to notes or add time/date to list.

### 3/5 — Excellent ID tool but...

*2015-07-11*

Excellent keying tool but the notes are not working on my iPhone 6. Try to write a note and the app locks up. I have to leave the app, delete it as a running app and then restart.

### 5/5 — Ideal app for divers

*2013-02-27*

I have told every diver I know about this app. It is amazing for fish ID, with multiple photos, complex search parameters, and tons of info. Best of all it works offline!  It's comparable to the Humann/DeLoach Reef Fish ID books--high praise. Thanks Smithsonian!

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2013-02-19*

This is a great app!! U have bought all kinds of reference books that never compared to this, even Audubon Society! I have identified countless mystery fishes and I have only had this one day!!

### 5/5 — Language option?

*2013-01-06*

It would be great if the language of the app could be either English or Spanish not depending on the language your cellphone has.

## Frequently asked questions about Fishes

### What is Fishes: Greater Caribbean?

Fishes: Greater Caribbean is an offline identification guide for the shore-fish fauna of the Caribbean and adjacent areas. It provides detailed information and images for over 1,693 species.

### Does Fishes: Greater Caribbean work offline?

Yes, this app works independently of the internet, making it a reliable tool for field identification in remote areas.

### How many species are included in Fishes: Greater Caribbean?

The app covers 1,693 species, with an option to focus on a subset of 919 species commonly found at SCUBA diving depths.

### Can I create my own lists with Fishes: Greater Caribbean?

Yes, the notebook module allows you to review recently visited species and construct custom lists of your observations, which can be organized in folders and downloaded via email.

### What languages does Fishes: Greater Caribbean support?

The app features complete English and Spanish interfaces. You can switch to the Spanish interface by setting your device's language preference to Spanish.

### Is Fishes: Greater Caribbean suitable for children?

Fishes: Greater Caribbean has an age rating of 4+, making it appropriate for younger users interested in learning about marine life. The educational content is designed to be accessible.

### How often is Fishes: Greater Caribbean updated?

The latest version of Fishes: Greater Caribbean is 3.0, last updated on February 26, 2026. This indicates a commitment to keeping the content current.

### What devices are supported by Fishes: Greater Caribbean?

Fishes: Greater Caribbean is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, offering a broad range of compatibility for Apple users.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 3.0 — 2026-02-26

The 2026 version has been recoded in 64-bit to conform to support requirements by the App Store. The 2026 version has the same general functionality as the 2016 version, with minor changes in the look, feel and precise workings of the existing functions; a new taxonomic database, containing more species, rearrangements and changes to scientific names of species, genera and families, changes and additions to species data (descriptions, maps, images); and changes in some English and Spanish common names to conform to those supported by the American Fisheries Society and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for use in Mexico, the USA and Canada.

### 2.0.1 — 2017-04-28

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Database updates

### 2.0 — 2016-07-08

Improved UI, updated species and images, added iPad version.

### 1.0 — 2012-10-22

No release notes.

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## More apps by Smithsonian Institution

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All apps by Smithsonian Institution: https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865

## Related topics

[the rise of fishes](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-rise-of-fishes)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-14.*