Water Pattern - Wildfish

Shining the spotlight on invertebrates

As the foundation of the food web, changes to invertebrate communities alter the natural balance of river systems. This has implications for wildlife, like fish, that rely on invertebrates as a food source.

This database contains high-resolution images to assist with the identification of aquatic invertebrates to the species level. Scroll down to register and access the image library (information about image use and copyright can be found at the bottom of this page).

Freshwater invertebrate communities are vital in our understanding of changes to water quality in our rivers.
Sam Green
Freshwater Ecologist

Access the image library

Register to subscribe and access the WildFish invertebrate image library.

Freshwater Invertebrate Image Library - Wildfish
Freshwater Invertebrate Image Library - Wildfish
Freshwater Invertebrate Image Library - Wildfish
Freshwater Invertebrate Image Library - Wildfish
Freshwater Invertebrate Image Library - Wildfish
Freshwater Invertebrate Image Library - Wildfish
Freshwater Invertebrate Image Library - Wildfish
Freshwater Invertebrate Image Library - Wildfish

Further information

Image downloads
Images can be downloaded onto a desktop, tablet or smartphone for personal use only.

Copyright
Registration to use this database assumes that the copyright conditions set out below are strictly observed.

Updates
The database will be continually updated with corrections and additions. We welcome your feedback which can be sent to: smartrivers@wildfish.org

Identification
If you would like support with identification, please send a photo of the invertebrate in question to smartrivers@wildfish.org

Copyright conditions

Commercial usage in print or digital format is prohibited without the explicit written consent of WildFish. If agreed a commercial rate will be charged for single use per image.

Apart from size, downloaded images must not be altered or manipulated in any way and headers, logos, badges and copyright notices must not be removed.

For identification purposes, it is suggested that only those species found at the user’s river/site be downloaded. These can then be transferred into a suitable photo app.

Please note: the majority of images are taken using preserved specimens so colouration may not reflect a live individual in the wild.

The Images

This database is built upon the photographic collection of Dr. Cyril Bennett, MBE, and highlights his many years of dedicated effort recording freshwater biodiversity.

These images are used to facilitate invertebrate identification as part of WildFish’s citizen science project – SmartRivers.

This library will continue to be updated with new species as samples become available.

Project News

Stay up to date with the latest news from across our projects.

View all news

WildFish set out actions that can be taken right now to reverse the decline of rivers

Today, the Water (Special Measures) Bill will have its second reading (the first real debate) in the House of Lords. The Bill i...
Read More

2023 assessment of Atlantic salmon numbers in England and Wales lowest on record

Today, the Environment Agency has released the 2023 stock assessment for populations of Atlantic salmon in England and Wales. T...
Read More

Meet the team: Lex Rigby

As WildFish’s farmed salmon campaign manager, Lex coordinates our ambitious Off the table coalition campaign calling on chefs, ...
Read More

Support Us

Support like yours allows our determined campaigning team to fight the destruction caused by open-net salmon farming, pollution and over-abstraction

Find out more

Find out about all the ways in which you can help wild fish…