Classification Services

Report a Fish.

All submissions reviewed. Tuna reports resolved immediately. Other fish reviewed within 3–5 business days.

Fish Classification Request

Submit a Fish for Review.

If you have encountered a fish and are uncertain of its classification, the Bureau is here. Provide as much detail as possible. Do not editorialize. State what you saw.

If it has legs, please note this. We consider this significant.
This does not affect classification outcome but we track it.
Attach a photo if available. Accepted: JPG, PNG, HEIC. Max 10MB. A photo aids classification. It is not required. Except for Tip #83-type situations, in which case it is strongly discouraged.
All tips are reviewed. Tuna tips are resolved immediately; tuna is a fish and this is not in question.
Tip details are not shared publicly without submitter consent.
Submitting a tip does not guarantee classification. Some fish are complicated.
Report Received.
The Bureau has your submission. If you reported tuna, the matter is resolved: tuna is a fish.

For all other fish, expect a response within 3–5 business days. If your urgency level was “Urgent,” please wait indoors.
Dispute a Finding

Contest a Classification.

Our findings are final. However, we acknowledge that final findings may occasionally prompt questions. If you believe a classification is incorrect, you may submit a dispute. It will be reviewed.

Please note: one dispute of the tuna finding has been submitted to date. It was reviewed. It was incorrect. The submitter was informed. Tuna remains a fish.

Disputes are reviewed by the full panel. Resolution timeline varies. Disputes of the tuna finding are resolved faster as the answer is already known.
Before You Submit
Is it tuna?
Tuna is a fish. This is settled. You do not need to submit a report about tuna. If you are unsure whether something is tuna, describe it and submit. We will tell you.
Does it have legs?
Note this in your report. The Bureau considers this significant. Fish do not have legs. If it has legs, it may not be a fish. Submit anyway. The Bureau would like to know.
Is it on land?
Fish can occasionally be on land. This does not automatically disqualify classification. Submit a report and indicate the land situation. The Bureau will assess.
Should I approach it?
Only if it is clearly a standard fish in its natural habitat and posing no obvious concerns. If you are asking this question, the answer is probably no. Submit the report first. Approach later, if at all.
Tip Line Statistics
Total tips received
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Tips about tuna
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Tuna tips resolved
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Other fish tips
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Disputes received
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Disputes upheld
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Important Notice

Regarding Tip #83: The Bureau is aware that word has spread about the submission received in November 2024. The Bureau asks that individuals refrain from submitting follow-up tips about the same subject. The panel is handling it. The panel member who requested leave is expected to return. The Bureau thanks you for your patience and asks that you not speculate publicly about what was in the photograph.