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.
Free users get 5 identifications to try it, and ReefBay DeepDive members get unlimited identifications. 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.
Price: Try it with 5 free identifications. Unlimited with ReefBay DeepDive ($4.99 a month or $39.99 a year). Zoa ID is always free.
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
What it doesn't do
- Saltwater only: Reef ID does not identify freshwater fish, plants or invertebrates.
- It suggests the most likely matches, not a guaranteed ID. Check the example photos before you treat, remove or buy anything.
- Blurry, distant or blue-lit photos give weaker results.
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?
Every account gets 5 free identifications. Unlimited identifications come with ReefBay DeepDive, $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year. Zoa ID, the zoanthid morph identifier, is always 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
