Question: How many types of animals are there in the ocean

Jacinta Nzilani answered on 10 Jul 2025:

Hey ,There are millions of animals in the ocean, and they belong to over 230,000 known species with scientists estimating that up to 2 million marine species may exist in total (many still undiscovered). 🐠🌊

Here’s a quick breakdown of types of animals in the ocean:
Fish 🐟 – e.g., tuna, sharks, clownfish

Mammals 🐬 – e.g., whales, dolphins, seals

Invertebrates 🦑 – e.g., jellyfish, octopuses, sea stars, corals

Crustaceans 🦀 – e.g., crabs, lobsters, shrimp

Mollusks 🐚 – e.g., clams, squids, snails

Reptiles 🐢 – e.g., sea turtles, sea snakes

Birds 🐦 – e.g., seagulls, penguins, albatrosses (they feed in the ocean)

Plankton 🔬 – tiny animals (zooplankton) that are a major food source for many species

The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface, so it’s no surprise it’s home to such an enormous and diverse range of life.