Fish ID

Become a REEF Beginner Surveyor & PADI/Project Aware Specialty

Have you ever been scuba diving and asked yourself, "What was that?”

Our Fish Identification Specialty class provides you with the fish identification basics so that next time, you'll know the answer. Plus you’ll gain the knowledge to start doing surveys on your dives to help scientists and marine ecologists at REEF.

You’ll find you enjoy your dives even more when you recognize the creatures that you see.  The fun part about this course is you can use the skills you learn on every scuba diving vacation because once you learn the main fish families and characteristics it will help you decipher the species you see all over the world.

For example, a butterfly fish in the Caribbean has a similar shape to a butterfly fish in Southeast Asia, but their colors and markings maybe wildly different.  If you know what fish family it belongs to, it becomes much easier to look up the local name or at least be able to intelligently ask the local scuba instructor what you saw.  That works better than asking about a “yellow thingy with a funny tail fin.”

You’ll learn :

• How to identify characteristics of local fish families and species
• Fish survey techniques and strategies
• How to practice fish identification dive planning, organization and procedures

FISH ID CLASS: Fish ID class meets 6-8pm for one evening. You get a REEF fish survey kit, which includes a “fish in a pocket” underwater guide, a survey slate, and underwater survey paper.  Note, for specialty certification you also must complete 2 dives (below).

Cost: $45

FULL SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION: After you’ve taken the Fish ID class and quiz you’re ready to do your two dives to complete your PADI specialty AND be certified as a REEF Level 2 surveyor.

Cost (Fish ID Class + Diving): $95 + cost of diving… Our trips are a great place to finish this class.