Species database

Marine species in Netherlands

215 species divers have recorded here, each verified against the World Register of Marine Species. Log your dives on DIVR to add to the record.

Planning a trip? Browse dive sites in Netherlands

Commonly seen

87

You have a good chance of spotting these on a typical dive.

bream (Abramis brama)Common

Abramis brama

bream

Fish
Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina)Common

Actinia equina

Beadlet Anemone

Invertebrates
Dead Man's Fingers (Alcyonium digitatum)Common

Alcyonium digitatum

Dead Man's Fingers

Invertebrates
European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)Common

Anguilla anguilla

European Eel

Fish
Lugworm (Arenicola marina)Common

Arenicola marina

Lugworm

Invertebrates
Common Sea Star (Asterias rubens)Common

Asterias rubens

Common Sea Star

Invertebrates
Common Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)Common

Aurelia aurita

Common Jellyfish

Invertebrates
Bearded stone loach (Barbatula barbatula)Common

Barbatula barbatula

Bearded stone loach

Fish
Bream Flat (Blicca bjoerkna)Common

Blicca bjoerkna

Bream Flat

Fish
Chain Tunicate (Botrylloides violaceus)Common

Botrylloides violaceus

Chain Tunicate

Invertebrates
Golden Star Tunicate (Botryllus schlosseri)Common

Botryllus schlosseri

Golden Star Tunicate

Invertebrates
Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum)Common

Buccinum undatum

Common Whelk

Invertebrates
Ghost Shrimp (Caprella linearis)Common

Caprella linearis

Ghost Shrimp

Invertebrates
Japanese Skeleton Shrimp (Caprella mutica)Common

Caprella mutica

Japanese Skeleton Shrimp

Invertebrates
Common Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas)Common

Carcinus maenas

Common Shore Crab

Invertebrates
Common

Cerastoderma edule

Common Cockle

Invertebrates
Mud Sagartia (Cereus pedunculatus)Common

Cereus pedunculatus

Mud Sagartia

Invertebrates
Sea Vase (Ciona intestinalis)Common

Ciona intestinalis

Sea Vase

Invertebrates
Boring Sponge (Cliona celata)Common

Cliona celata

Boring Sponge

Invertebrates
Common Spined Loach (Cobitis taenia)Common

Cobitis taenia

Common Spined Loach

Fish
Common

Corbicula fluminea

Asian basket clam

Brown Shrimp (Crangon crangon)Common

Crangon crangon

Brown Shrimp

Invertebrates
American Slipper Limpet (Crepidula fornicata)Common

Crepidula fornicata

American Slipper Limpet

Invertebrates
Aischgrund Carp (Cyprinus carpio)Common

Cyprinus carpio

Aischgrund Carp

Fish
Baked Bean Ascidian (Dendrodoa grossularia)Common

Dendrodoa grossularia

Baked Bean Ascidian

Invertebrates
Orange Anemone (Diadumene cincta)Common

Diadumene cincta

Orange Anemone

Invertebrates
Green-Striped Anemone (Diadumene lineata)Common

Diadumene lineata

Green-Striped Anemone

Invertebrates
Compound Sea Squirt (Didemnum vexillum)Common

Didemnum vexillum

Compound Sea Squirt

Invertebrates
Flower-Head Polyp (Ectopleura larynx)Common

Ectopleura larynx

Flower-Head Polyp

Invertebrates
American Pike (Esox lucius)Common

Esox lucius

American Pike

Fish
Three-Spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)Common

Gasterosteus aculeatus

Three-Spined Stickleback

Fish
Common Gudgeon (Gobio gobio)Common

Gobio gobio

Common Gudgeon

Fish
Black Goby (Gobius niger)Common

Gobius niger

Black Goby

Fish
Herringbone Hydroid (Halecium halecinum)Common

Halecium halecinum

Herringbone Hydroid

Invertebrates
Breadcrumb Horny Sponge (Halichondria panicea)Common

Halichondria panicea

Breadcrumb Horny Sponge

Invertebrates
Deadman's Finger (Haliclona oculata)Common

Haliclona oculata

Deadman's Finger

Invertebrates
Dujardin's Slime Sponge (Halisarca dujardinii)Common

Halisarca dujardinii

Dujardin's Slime Sponge

Invertebrates
Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus)Common

Hemigrapsus sanguineus

Asian Shore Crab

Invertebrates
Asian Brush Crab (Hemigrapsus takanoi)Common

Hemigrapsus takanoi

Asian Brush Crab

Invertebrates
Common

Hemimysis lamornae

Midge Shrimp

Invertebrates
Chamaeleon Prawn (Hippolyte varians)Common

Hippolyte varians

Chamaeleon Prawn

Invertebrates
Great Spider Crab (Hyas araneus)Common

Hyas araneus

Great Spider Crab

Invertebrates
Hermit Crab Hydroid (Hydractinia echinata)Common

Hydractinia echinata

Hermit Crab Hydroid

Invertebrates
Crumb-of-Bread Sponge (Hymeniacidon perlevis)Common

Hymeniacidon perlevis

Crumb-of-Bread Sponge

Invertebrates
Sand Mason (Lanice conchilega)Common

Lanice conchilega

Sand Mason

Invertebrates
Grey Chiton (Lepidochitona cinerea)Common

Lepidochitona cinerea

Grey Chiton

Invertebrates
Calcareous Tube-Sponge (Leucosolenia variabilis)Common

Leucosolenia variabilis

Calcareous Tube-Sponge

Invertebrates
Bootlace Worm (Lineus longissimus)Common

Lineus longissimus

Bootlace Worm

Invertebrates
Pacific Oyster (Magallana gigas)Common

Magallana gigas

Pacific Oyster

Invertebrates
Plumose Anemone (Metridium dianthus)Common

Metridium dianthus

Plumose Anemone

Invertebrates
American Comb Jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi)Common

Mnemiopsis leidyi

American Comb Jelly

Invertebrates
Molgula (Molgula manhattensis)Common

Molgula manhattensis

Molgula

Invertebrates
Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis)Common

Mytilus edulis

Blue Mussel

Invertebrates
Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber)Common

Necora puber

Velvet Swimming Crab

Invertebrates
Common Brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis)Common

Ophiothrix fragilis

Common Brittlestar

Invertebrates
Bernhard's Hermit Crab (Pagurus bernhardus)Common

Pagurus bernhardus

Bernhard's Hermit Crab

Invertebrates
Baltic Prawn (Palaemon adspersus)Common

Palaemon adspersus

Baltic Prawn

Invertebrates
Grass Prawn (Palaemon elegans)Common

Palaemon elegans

Grass Prawn

Invertebrates
Oriental Grass Shrimp (Palaemon macrodactylus)Common

Palaemon macrodactylus

Oriental Grass Shrimp

Invertebrates
Common Prawn (Palaemon serratus)Common

Palaemon serratus

Common Prawn

Invertebrates
Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis)Common

Perca fluviatilis

Eurasian perch

Fish
Butterfish (Pholis gunnellus)Common

Pholis gunnellus

Butterfish

Fish
Westatlantic White Phoronid (Phoronis hippocrepia)Common

Phoronis hippocrepia

Westatlantic White Phoronid

Invertebrates
Bristly Crab (Pilumnus hirtellus)Common

Pilumnus hirtellus

Bristly Crab

Invertebrates
Common Porcelain Crab (Pisidia longicornis)Common

Pisidia longicornis

Common Porcelain Crab

Invertebrates
European Flounder (Platichthys flesus)Common

Platichthys flesus

European Flounder

Fish
Atlantic Sea Gooseberry (Pleurobrachia pileus)Common

Pleurobrachia pileus

Atlantic Sea Gooseberry

Invertebrates
Common Swimming Crab (Polybius holsatus)Common

Polybius holsatus

Common Swimming Crab

Invertebrates
Arch-Fronted Swimming Crab (Polybius navigator)Common

Polybius navigator

Arch-Fronted Swimming Crab

Invertebrates
Common Goby (Pomatoschistus microps)Common

Pomatoschistus microps

Common Goby

Fish
Bent Mysid Shrimp (Praunus flexuosus)Common

Praunus flexuosus

Bent Mysid Shrimp

Invertebrates
Green Sea Urchin (Psammechinus miliaris)Common

Psammechinus miliaris

Green Sea Urchin

Invertebrates
Nine-spined Stickleback (Pungitius pungitius)Common

Pungitius pungitius

Nine-spined Stickleback

Fish
Common Roach (Rutilus rutilus)Common

Rutilus rutilus

Common Roach

Fish
Peacock Feather-Duster Worm (Sabella pavonina)Common

Sabella pavonina

Peacock Feather-Duster Worm

Invertebrates
Eurasian Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)Common

Sander lucioperca

Eurasian Pikeperch

Fish
Eurasian Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)Common

Scardinius erythrophthalmus

Eurasian Rudd

Fish
Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)Common

Sepia officinalis

Common Cuttlefish

Invertebrates
Common

Spongilla lacustris

freshwater sponge

Invertebrates
Asian Tunicate (Styela clava)Common

Styela clava

Asian Tunicate

Invertebrates
Massive Suberites Sponge (Suberites massa)Common

Suberites massa

Massive Suberites Sponge

Invertebrates
Ciliated Calcareous Sponge (Sycon ciliatum)Common

Sycon ciliatum

Ciliated Calcareous Sponge

Invertebrates
Sea Scorpion (Taurulus bubalis)Common

Taurulus bubalis

Sea Scorpion

Fish
Doctor Fish (Tinca tinca)Common

Tinca tinca

Doctor Fish

Fish
Netted Dog Whelk (Tritia reticulata)Common

Tritia reticulata

Netted Dog Whelk

Invertebrates
Oaten Pipe (Tubularia indivisa)Common

Tubularia indivisa

Oaten Pipe

Invertebrates
Dahlia Anemone (Urticina felina)Common

Urticina felina

Dahlia Anemone

Invertebrates

Occasionally seen

78

Regular residents, but not on every dive.

Hairy Spiny Doris (Acanthodoris pilosa)Occasional

Acanthodoris pilosa

Hairy Spiny Doris

Invertebrates
Common Grey Sea Slug (Aeolidia papillosa)Occasional

Aeolidia papillosa

Common Grey Sea Slug

Invertebrates
Orange-Brown Aeolid (Aeolidiella glauca)Occasional

Aeolidiella glauca

Orange-Brown Aeolid

Invertebrates
Armed Bullhead (Agonus cataphractus)Occasional

Agonus cataphractus

Armed Bullhead

Fish
European Common Squid (Alloteuthis subulata)Occasional

Alloteuthis subulata

European Common Squid

Invertebrates
Occasional

Ameiurus melas

black bullhead

Occasional

Amphitrite figulus

Spaghetti Worm

Invertebrates
Occasional

Anodonta cygnea

Swan Mussel

Invertebrates
Transparent Goby (Aphia minuta)Occasional

Aphia minuta

Transparent Goby

Fish
Smooth Aplidium (Aplidium glabrum)Occasional

Aplidium glabrum

Smooth Aplidium

Invertebrates
Dirty Sea-Squirt (Ascidiella aspersa)Occasional

Ascidiella aspersa

Dirty Sea-Squirt

Invertebrates
Hooded Shrimp (Athanas nitescens)Occasional

Athanas nitescens

Hooded Shrimp

Invertebrates
Sand Smelt (Atherina presbyter)Occasional

Atherina presbyter

Sand Smelt

Fish
Slender Comb Jelly (Beroe gracilis)Occasional

Beroe gracilis

Slender Comb Jelly

Invertebrates
Occasional

Bufo bufo

European Toad

Common Dragonet (Callionymus lyra)Occasional

Callionymus lyra

Common Dragonet

Fish
Edible Crab (Cancer pagurus)Occasional

Cancer pagurus

Edible Crab

Invertebrates
Corange-Tip Cuthona (Catriona aurantia)Occasional

Catriona aurantia

Corange-Tip Cuthona

Invertebrates
Thicklip Grey Mullet (Chelon labrosus)Occasional

Chelon labrosus

Thicklip Grey Mullet

Fish
Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella)Occasional

Chrysaora hysoscella

Compass Jellyfish

Invertebrates
Five-Bearded Rockling (Ciliata mustela)Occasional

Ciliata mustela

Five-Bearded Rockling

Fish
Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus)Occasional

Clupea harengus

Atlantic Herring

Fish
Blue Jellyfish (Cyanea lamarckii)Occasional

Cyanea lamarckii

Blue Jellyfish

Invertebrates
Elegant Anemone (Cylista elegans)Occasional

Cylista elegans

Elegant Anemone

Invertebrates
Bushy-Backed Nudibranch (Dendronotus frondosus)Occasional

Dendronotus frondosus

Bushy-Backed Nudibranch

Invertebrates
Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)Occasional

Dicentrarchus labrax

Bass

Fish
Gray Encrusting Compound Tunicate (Diplosoma listerianum)Occasional

Diplosoma listerianum

Gray Encrusting Compound Tunicate

Invertebrates
Many-shaped Dreissena (Dreissena polymorpha)Occasional

Dreissena polymorpha

Many-shaped Dreissena

Invertebrates
Green Elysia (Elysia viridis)Occasional

Elysia viridis

Green Elysia

Invertebrates
Occasional

Eriocheir sinensis

Chinese mitten crab

Hidden Shrimp (Eualus occultus)Occasional

Eualus occultus

Hidden Shrimp

Invertebrates
Boston Facelina (Facelina bostoniensis)Occasional

Facelina bostoniensis

Boston Facelina

Invertebrates
American crayfish (Faxonius limosus)Occasional

Faxonius limosus

American crayfish

Invertebrates
Black Squat Lobster (Galathea squamifera)Occasional

Galathea squamifera

Black Squat Lobster

Invertebrates
Eurasian Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua)Occasional

Gymnocephalus cernua

Eurasian Ruffe

Fish
Purple Tube Sponge (Haliclona xena)Occasional

Haliclona xena

Purple Tube Sponge

Invertebrates
Common Lobster (Homarus gammarus)Occasional

Homarus gammarus

Common Lobster

Invertebrates
Belica (Leucaspius delineatus)Occasional

Leucaspius delineatus

Belica

Fish
Golden orfe (Leuciscus idus)Occasional

Leuciscus idus

Golden orfe

Fish
Common Dab (Limanda limanda)Occasional

Limanda limanda

Common Dab

Fish
Shanny (Lipophrys pholis)Occasional

Lipophrys pholis

Shanny

Fish
Occasional

Lissotriton vulgaris

smooth newt

Cape Hope Squid (Loligo vulgaris)Occasional

Loligo vulgaris

Cape Hope Squid

Invertebrates
Long Legged Spider Crab (Macropodia rostrata)Occasional

Macropodia rostrata

Long Legged Spider Crab

Invertebrates
Whiting (Merlangius merlangus)Occasional

Merlangius merlangus

Whiting

Fish
Bull Rout (Myoxocephalus scorpius)Occasional

Myoxocephalus scorpius

Bull Rout

Fish
Black spotted goby (Neogobius melanostomus)Occasional

Neogobius melanostomus

Black spotted goby

Fish
Balloon Aeolis (Nudibranchus exiguus)Occasional

Nudibranchus exiguus

Balloon Aeolis

Invertebrates
Barnacle-Eating Onchidoris (Onchidoris bilamellata)Occasional

Onchidoris bilamellata

Barnacle-Eating Onchidoris

Invertebrates
Serpent Star (Ophiura ophiura)Occasional

Ophiura ophiura

Serpent Star

Invertebrates
European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus)Occasional

Osmerus eperlanus

European smelt

Fish
Aesop Prawn (Pandalus montagui)Occasional

Pandalus montagui

Aesop Prawn

Invertebrates
Gehoornde Slijmvis (Parablennius gattorugine)Occasional

Parablennius gattorugine

Gehoornde Slijmvis

Fish
Chestnut Goniodoris (Pelagella castanea)Occasional

Pelagella castanea

Chestnut Goniodoris

Invertebrates
Occasional

Pelophylax ridibundus

marsh frog

European Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)Occasional

Pleuronectes platessa

European Plaice

Fish
Green Pollack (Pollachius pollachius)Occasional

Pollachius pollachius

Green Pollack

Fish
Two Spot Goby (Pomatoschistus flavescens)Occasional

Pomatoschistus flavescens

Two Spot Goby

Fish
American Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)Occasional

Procambarus clarkii

American Crayfish

Invertebrates
Occasional

Rana temporaria

European frog

Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma octopus)Occasional

Rhizostoma octopus

Barrel Jellyfish

Invertebrates
European Bitterling (Rhodeus amarus)Occasional

Rhodeus amarus

European Bitterling

Fish
Pleasing Rubramoena (Rubramoena amoena)Occasional

Rubramoena amoena

Pleasing Rubramoena

Invertebrates
Small Snakelocks Anemone (Sagartia undata)Occasional

Sagartia undata

Small Snakelocks Anemone

Invertebrates
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)Occasional

Salmo salar

Atlantic Salmon

Fish
Clapper Hydroid (Sarsia tubulosa)Occasional

Sarsia tubulosa

Clapper Hydroid

Invertebrates
Atlantic Bobtail (Sepiola atlantica)Occasional

Sepiola atlantica

Atlantic Bobtail

Invertebrates
Occasional

Solea solea

Common Sole

Fish
Zwartooglipvis (Symphodus melops)Occasional

Symphodus melops

Zwartooglipvis

Fish
North Sea Cerianthid (Synarachnactis lloydii)Occasional

Synarachnactis lloydii

North Sea Cerianthid

Invertebrates
Greater Pipefish (Syngnathus acus)Occasional

Syngnathus acus

Greater Pipefish

Fish
Johnston's Balloon Eolis (Tergipes tergipes)Occasional

Tergipes tergipes

Johnston's Balloon Eolis

Invertebrates
Thecacera (Thecacera pennigera)Occasional

Thecacera pennigera

Thecacera

Invertebrates
Bib (Trisopterus luscus)Occasional

Trisopterus luscus

Bib

Fish
Cepelan (Trisopterus minutus)Occasional

Trisopterus minutus

Cepelan

Fish
Occasional

Triturus cristatus

great crested newt

Swollen River Mussel (Unio tumidus)Occasional

Unio tumidus

Swollen River Mussel

Invertebrates
Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus)Occasional

Zoarces viviparus

Eelpout

Fish

Rare finds

50

Lucky encounters worth logging.

Queen Scallop (Aequipecten opercularis)Rare

Aequipecten opercularis

Queen Scallop

Invertebrates
Crystal Jellyfish (Aequorea vitrina)Rare

Aequorea vitrina

Crystal Jellyfish

Invertebrates
Pallid Eubranchus (Amphorina pallida)Rare

Amphorina pallida

Pallid Eubranchus

Invertebrates
Duck Mussel (Anodonta anatina)Rare

Anodonta anatina

Duck Mussel

Invertebrates
Crested Aeolis (Antiopella cristata)Rare

Antiopella cristata

Crested Aeolis

Invertebrates
Broad-clawed Crayfish (Astacus astacus)Rare

Astacus astacus

Broad-clawed Crayfish

Invertebrates
European freshwater shrimp (Atyaephyra desmarestii)Rare

Atyaephyra desmarestii

European freshwater shrimp

Invertebrates
Garfish (Belone belone)Rare

Belone belone

Garfish

Fish
Solenette (Buglossidium luteum)Rare

Buglossidium luteum

Solenette

Fish
Yellow Wart Sponge (Celtodoryx ciocalyptoides)Rare

Celtodoryx ciocalyptoides

Yellow Wart Sponge

Invertebrates
Tub Gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna)Rare

Chelidonichthys lucerna

Tub Gurnard

Fish
Conger (Conger conger)Rare

Conger conger

Conger

Fish
Slender Eolis (Coryphella gracilis)Rare

Coryphella gracilis

Slender Eolis

Invertebrates
Dwarf Cuthona (Cuthona nana)Rare

Cuthona nana

Dwarf Cuthona

Invertebrates
Henfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)Rare

Cyclopterus lumpus

Henfish

Fish
Quagga Mussel (Dreissena bugensis)Rare

Dreissena bugensis

Quagga Mussel

Invertebrates
Heart-Urchin (Echinocardium cordatum)Rare

Echinocardium cordatum

Heart-Urchin

Invertebrates
American Jackknife Clam (Ensis leei)Rare

Ensis leei

American Jackknife Clam

Invertebrates
Snake Pipefish (Entelurus aequoreus)Rare

Entelurus aequoreus

Snake Pipefish

Fish
Common European Wentletrap (Epitonium clathrus)Rare

Epitonium clathrus

Common European Wentletrap

Invertebrates
Northern Crayfish (Faxonius virilis)Rare

Faxonius virilis

Northern Crayfish

Invertebrates
Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)Rare

Gadus morhua

Atlantic Cod

Fish
Flat Dorid (Geitodoris planata)Rare

Geitodoris planata

Flat Dorid

Invertebrates
Angled Hydromedusa (Gonionemus vertens)Rare

Gonionemus vertens

Angled Hydromedusa

Invertebrates
Crimson Hermaea (Hermaea bifida)Rare

Hermaea bifida

Crimson Hermaea

Invertebrates
Short-Snouted Seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus)Rare

Hippocampus hippocampus

Short-Snouted Seahorse

Fish
Contracted Crab (Hyas coarctatus)Rare

Hyas coarctatus

Contracted Crab

Invertebrates
Leach's Spider Crab (Inachus phalangium)Rare

Inachus phalangium

Leach's Spider Crab

Invertebrates
Glassy Janolus (Janolus hyalinus)Rare

Janolus hyalinus

Glassy Janolus

Invertebrates
Ballan Wrasse (Labrus bergylta)Rare

Labrus bergylta

Ballan Wrasse

Fish
Sea Snail (Liparis liparis)Rare

Liparis liparis

Sea Snail

Fish
Transparent Lamellaria (Marsenia perspicua)Rare

Marsenia perspicua

Transparent Lamellaria

Invertebrates
Lemon Sole (Microstomus kitt)Rare

Microstomus kitt

Lemon Sole

Fish
Rare

Mycale contarenii

Rough Vein Sponge

Invertebrates
Brackish water mussel (Mytilopsis leucophaeata)Rare

Mytilopsis leucophaeata

Brackish water mussel

Invertebrates
Rare

Natrix natrix

Common Grass Snake

Atlantic Dog Whelk (Nucella lapillus)Rare

Nucella lapillus

Atlantic Dog Whelk

Invertebrates
Common Oyster (Ostrea edulis)Rare

Ostrea edulis

Common Oyster

Invertebrates
American Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)Rare

Pacifastacus leniusculus

American Signal Crayfish

Invertebrates
Delta prawn (Palaemon longirostris)Rare

Palaemon longirostris

Delta prawn

Invertebrates
Blue-Leg Swimcrab (Polybius depurator)Rare

Polybius depurator

Blue-Leg Swimcrab

Invertebrates
Danube Crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus)Rare

Pontastacus leptodactylus

Danube Crayfish

Invertebrates
White River Crawfish (Procambarus acutus)Rare

Procambarus acutus

White River Crawfish

Invertebrates
Marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis)Rare

Procambarus virginalis

Marbled crayfish

Invertebrates
Orange Crust Sponge (Protosuberites denhartogi)Rare

Protosuberites denhartogi

Orange Crust Sponge

Invertebrates
Lesser Fork-Beard (Raniceps raninus)Rare

Raniceps raninus

Lesser Fork-Beard

Fish
Small-Spotted Catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula)Rare

Scyliorhinus canicula

Small-Spotted Catshark

Fish
Fifteen-Spined Stickleback (Spinachia spinachia)Rare

Spinachia spinachia

Fifteen-Spined Stickleback

Fish
Thick Shelled River Mussel (Unio crassus)Rare

Unio crassus

Thick Shelled River Mussel

Invertebrates
Rare

Unio pictorum

Painter's Mussel

Invertebrates