ReefBay Reef ID
Is there an app that identifies coral and reef animals from a photo?
Yes. Reef ID in the ReefBay app identifies saltwater fish, coral, invertebrates, pests and nuisance algae from a single photo. Take or upload a picture and Reef ID returns the most likely matches, each linked to a care page. It is trained on real reef tank photos, including ReefBay users' own tanks, and is updated every week.
Reef ID is part of ReefBay DeepDive, the app's premium membership. For zoanthids there is Zoa ID, which is completely free: it names the zoanthid color morph (for example Rasta or Utter Chaos) from a close-up of the polyps, in the app or on the web at reefbay.com/what-zoa-is-this.
Included with ReefBay DeepDive. The app is free to download.
How it works
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1
Open Reef ID
Tap the camera in the ReefBay app. You can shoot a new photo or pick one from your library.
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2
Frame one subject
Crop to the animal you want identified. Close, in-focus shots under white light work best.
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3
Compare the matches
Reef ID shows ranked matches with example photos so you can compare side by side.
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4
Get care info
Open a match for care level, reef safety, diet and size, or ask DeepDive whether it suits your tank.
What you get
- Fish, coral, invertebrates, anemones, pests and algae in one camera flow
- Free zoanthid morph identification (Zoa ID)
- Ranked matches with side-by-side photo comparison
- Every match links to a care page in the ReefBay library
- Your past identifications are saved in your ID history
- Model updated weekly as new species and photos are added
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is Reef ID?
Accuracy depends mostly on the photo. A sharp, close shot of one animal under white light gives the best results. Reef ID shows several ranked matches rather than a single guess, so you can confirm against the example photos.
Why does my coral look different in photos?
Blue reef lighting shifts colors. Switch your lights to white, or use an orange lens filter on your phone, before taking the photo you want identified.
Is Reef ID free?
Reef ID is included with ReefBay DeepDive, the premium membership. Zoa ID, the zoanthid morph identifier, is free. The ReefBay app itself is free to download, and the parameter tracker, maintenance reminders, tank profiles, community and marketplace are free.
Can ReefBay identify zoanthid morphs?
Yes, for free. Zoa ID names zoanthid color morphs from a close-up of the polyps and shows example photos of each morph. Use it in the ReefBay app or on the web at reefbay.com/what-zoa-is-this, no account or subscription needed.
Does Reef ID work for freshwater fish?
No. Reef ID is built for saltwater reef organisms only.
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Last updated September 30, 2026
