Interact with Western Australian marine life every day of the week by downloading one of our desktop pictures.
To download the images right click on the desired size and choose "Save Target As" to download the file to your computer.
Whale shark
The whale shark is the world's largest fish growing to 12 m or more! These gentle giants are one of three filter-feeding sharks, which also includes basking and megamouth sharks, that feed on plankton (tiny plants and animals).
Photo:Matt Pember
Yellow and blueback fusilier
Also known as the blue fusilier, these fish grow up to 40 cm and are found on tropical coral reefs in the Indo-west and central Pacific oceans. Feeding on plankton they are often found in large schools.
Photo:Matt Pember
Octopus
Octopus belong to a group of animals known as cephalopods, meaning 'head foot' as the muscular foot or tentacles appear to be connected to the head. This group also includes cuttles, squid and nautilus.
Photo:Sandy Clarke
Seahorse
Seahorses have bony plates protecting their bodies instead of scales. Their long snouts end in tiny, toothless mouths that suck in minute crustaceans, which are swallowed whole.
Photo:Jan Richards
Old wife
Old wifes are found along the southern half of Australia in estuaries and nearshore reefs. These fish are named from the grumbling noise that they emit when caught, caused by the grinding of their teeth when stressed.
Photo:Carina Gemignani
Clarke's anemonefish
More commonly referred to as clownfish, anemonefish are actually named for their home – the sea anemone. Unlike other fish, anemonefish get used to the anemones stinging cells, which protect them from predators.
Photo:Shannon Conway
Nudibranch
Nudibranchs or sea slugs are brightly coloured and patterned, providing camouflage and warning off predators – as they protect themselves by excreting a foul-tasting toxic chemical.
Photo:Shannon Conway
Green moon wrasse
This male green moon wrasse can grow to 30 cm. Like some other fish families, you can tell the difference between males and females by the colours, patterns and markings on their body.
Photo:Shannon Conway
Hermit Crab
There are two types of hermit crabs – terrestrial (land) and aquatic. Terrestrial hermit crabs are often referred to as 'crazy crabs' and are a popular pet.
Photo:Andrew Cribb
Globefish
When danger threatens the globefish can inflate its body and the spines stand erect, making them appear bigger to the potential predator. Although the spines are not venomous, the flesh of this fish is poisonous to eat.
Photo:Carina Gemignani
Sea jelly
You may know the sea jelly as a jellyfish, but they are not fish at all – they are invertebrates, which have no spine, no heart and no brain!
Photo:Carina Gemignani
Goldstripe goatfish
Although the goldstripe goatfish forms schools (groups) during the day, they like to feed alone on sand-dwelling animals at night.
Photo:Rachel Green
