Plastic Extinct Sea Life

Plastic Dunkleosteus Toy at Tapir and Friends Animal Store

If you have a fear of great whites, or guillotines, be very grateful you didn't live in the Late Devonian period. That's when Dunkleosteus roamed the world's waters in search of prey. At 33 feet long (10 m) and weighing in at a whopping 3.6 tons, Dunkleosteus could pretty much eat anything it liked. Instead of teeth, it possessed two bony blades that it used to slice prey in half, making it the animal predecessor to the guillotine. Makes great whites look like pussy cats. Almost. But Dunkleosteus is only one of many fascinating (and terrifying) prehistoric sea creatures that we have in stock. Be sure to check out all of them!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Freshwater Fish

Plastic Crappie from Tapir and Friends Animal Store

Call us biased (or absolutely correct), but we think everything in our store is fabulous. Even so, sometimes it's hard not to play favorites with some of the items. Our freshwater fish are beautifully detailed and perfect for almost anything you can imagine: school projects, dioramas, as place-settings at weddings or other special events, or as wonderful mementos of special fishing trips. They would make terrific gifts for the fish enthusiasts in your life. After you've finished browsing the freshwater section, be sure to check out all of our fantastic fish. 

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Colorful Plastic Goldfish

Colorful Plastic Golfish at Sale Prices for Summer Fun

at Tapir and Friends Animal Store

Priced for summer fun. Put them on cupcakes or throw them in a wading pool and see who can cath the most. At these prices, you can have lots of fun with plastic fish! You can buy a range of colors as well as more traditional orange plastic goldfish at Tapir and Friends Animal Store. We ship FAST!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Squirt Toys for Summer Fun!

Squirting Pufferfish Toy at Tapir and Friends Animal Store

Now that summer's here, it's time for fun in the sun! Whether you're in the swimming pool, the ocean, or the bathtub, our plastic squirting pufferfish and day-glo goldfish are the perfect summertime accessories!  Order yours while supplies last!

Squirting Goldfish Toy at Tapir and Friends Animal Store

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Barrel-eye Fish Miniature

You lookin' at ME??

Our Plastic Barrel-Eye Fish

Our unusual and colorful plastic barrel-eye fish is 5 1/2 inches long from its jaws to its tail. The body is constructed of dense, somewhat flexible plastic. The plastic glows in the dark, and the unpainted parts (the lower jaw and underbelly) will emit a pale green light in a dark room. The fish has a brown body, and an orange face, fins and tail. On the belly, in tiny letters, is written "lanternfish," but this fish lacks the shape or fin arrangement of any lanternfish I found in my research. Previously we had simply called our barrel-eye a "mystery fish" and asked for help in identifying it. A visitor to our website named William directed us to a barrel-eye and for this we a grateful to him. Please see all our other deepwater toys and gifts.

About Barrel-Eye Fish

The barrel-eye fish (Opisthoproctus soleatus) is an amazing deepwater fish which lives in the aphotic zone near the top where no light penetrates. It is equipped with large, highly developed, light-sensitive, barrel-shaped eyes which direct its vision upwards toward the faintest light in order to spot the shape of prey. It is about 10 inches long and has an elaborate fin structure, luminescent organs, and a transparent to translucent head. The light emanating from the barrel-eye tends to confuse predators, making it difficult for them to see it as a fish. Little is known about the number of barrel-eyes in existence and about its reproductive cycle.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Rainbow Trout Toy

A unique and delightful stuffed animal!

Our Stuffed Rainbow Trout

This soft and colorful plush rainbow trout toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This rainbow trout is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush trout would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other trout and fish toys and gifts.

About Rainbow Trout

Also known as steelhead, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are native to tributaries of the northern Pacific Ocean in both Asia and North America. Steelhead are sea run, meaning they live in the ocean but return to fresh water to spawn. A very popular game fish, rainbow trout have been introduced to waters in at least 45 countries on every continent but Antarctica. In some cases, particularly in Australia, South America, and Southern Europe, this has had a negative impact on native fish species, who are decimated by rainbow trout through predation, competition, disease, and inter-breeding.

Rainbow trout are not choosy about their diet, eating virtually anything they can grab. Young rainbow trout, called "smolts", feed mostly on insects, fish eggs, crayfish and other crustaceans, and smaller fish. As they mature, fish become more and more their standard diet. In some land-locked cases, rainbow trout have been known to become planktonic feeders, feeding on drifting algae and microorganisms.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Rainbow Trout Toy

PERFECT for the fishing cabin!

Our Stuffed Rainbow Trout

This soft and colorful plush rainbow trout toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This rainbow trout is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush trout would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other trout and fish toys and gifts.

About Rainbow Trout

Also known as steelhead, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are native to tributaries of the northern Pacific Ocean in both Asia and North America. Steelhead are sea run, meaning they live in the ocean but return to fresh water to spawn. A very popular game fish, rainbow trout have been introduced to waters in at least 45 countries on every continent but Antarctica. In some cases, particularly in Australia, South America, and Southern Europe, this has had a negative impact on native fish species, who are decimated by rainbow trout through predation, competition, disease, and inter-breeding.

Rainbow trout are not choosy about their diet, eating virtually anything they can grab. Young rainbow trout, called "smolts", feed mostly on insects, fish eggs, crayfish and other crustaceans, and smaller fish. As they mature, fish become more and more their standard diet. In some land-locked cases, rainbow trout have been known to become planktonic feeders, feeding on drifting algae and microorganisms.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Great White Shark

Take this guy with you for a dip in the pool...or the bathtub!

Our Plastic Great White Shark

This engaging-looking plastic Great White Shark replica is made of flexible plastic. It is 9 inches long, partially hollow and it has a squeaker, but does not squirt. It floats on its side. The color is semi-gloss gray and white and has a red detailed mouth with distinct teeth. Our great white shark miniature has a concerned expression but promises not to bite, if you trust it! This great white replica makes an interesting pet, gag or gift and fits nicely into a shoebox diorama for a school project. Check out our other great white shark toys and gifts.

About Great White Sharks

The great white shark Carcharodon carcharias can be found is usually about 9 feet in length, but adults may be as much as 16 feet. They weigh around 2,000 pounds. It lives near the surface in warmer waters of the Pacific, the Caribbean, and along the coast of Africa. Some sharks follow the migration of sea lions, which they find a most tasty prey. The great white has a large conical-shaped snout, agray dorsal fin and a mottled white underside. Great white sharks, like many other sharks, have rows of teeth behind the main ones, allowing any that break off to be rapidly replaced. A great white shark's teeth are serrated and when the shark bites it will shake its head side to side and the teeth will act as a saw and tear off large chunks of flesh. Great whites often swallow their own broken off teeth along with chunks of their prey's flesh.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Rainbow Trout Toy

We've got them back at TPF!!

Our Stuffed Trout Toy

This soft and colorful plush rainbow trout toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This rainbow trout is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush trout would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other trout and fish toys and gifts.

About Rainbow Trout

Also known as steelhead, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are native to tributaries of the northern Pacific Ocean in both Asia and North America. Steelhead are sea run, meaning they live in the ocean but return to fresh water to spawn. A very popular game fish, rainbow trout have been introduced to waters in at least 45 countries on every continent but Antarctica. In some cases, particularly in Australia, South America, and Southern Europe, this has had a negative impact on native fish species, who are decimated by rainbow trout through predation, competition, disease, and inter-breeding.

Rainbow trout are not choosy about their diet, eating virtually anything they can grab. Young rainbow trout, called "smolts", feed mostly on insects, fish eggs, crayfish and other crustaceans, and smaller fish. As they mature, fish become more and more their standard diet. In some land-locked cases, rainbow trout have been known to become planktonic feeders, feeding on drifting algae and microorganisms.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Sockeye Salmon

My family is getting ready to welcome the sockeye back to our creek!

Our Stuffed Sockeye Salmon

This soft and colorful plush sockeye salmon toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This sockeye salmon is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush salmon would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other salmon and fish toys and gifts.

About Sockeye Salmon

The third most common Pacific salmon species, Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) are found in the northern Pacific Ocean and rivers that discharge into it. Sockeye salmon also exist in completely land-locked populations, living and reproducting in lakes. These salmon, while exactly the same species, are known as kokanee. Kokanee tend to be much smaller than the ocean-dwelling salmon, rarely exceeding 14 inches in length. Sockeye salmon spawn in fresh water, then migrate to the ocean for 1 - 4 years. While in the ocean, Sockeye salmon are blue-tinged and silver in color, only taking on the distictive red hue and green head when migrating to spawn. In males, the jaws and teeth also become hooked, and are used primarily for fighting other males. Sockeye salmon feed primarily on plankton, and will occasionally feast on shrimp and insects. The word "sockeye" comes from the Halkomelem word "Suk-kegh", meaning red fish.

 This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Larger Plastic Goldfish

A classic bath-time plaything!

Our Plastic Goldfish

This bright orange goldfish is made of hollow, flexible plastic, and measures 7 inches from nose to tail. It will float on its side (sorry it does not look like it's swimming), and you can squeeze it under water to fill up the hollow inside. When you take it out of the water, you can squeeze it again and it will squirt out of its mouth. It makes a realistic and fun bath toy. It can also be used as interesting decor in your home. Because of its bright color and the translucent plastic (the fins are actually transparent), it was hard to photograph. The color is BRIGHT - almost day-glo orange. The eye is painted black and white. Come see our wonderful assortment of plastic fish toys.

About Goldfish

The fantail goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) is a small goldfish that has bred primarily for show. It distinguishes itself from the common goldfish by its split or double caudal (tail) fin. It is a hardy fish and can tolerate water several degrees above freezing. Since they are omnivorous, the fantail goldfish will generally eat all kinds of fresh, frozen, and flake foods.They love to feed on feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, Daphnia, or tubifex worms as a treat. It is usually better to feed freeze-dried foods as opposed to live foods to avoid parasites and bacterial infections that could be present in live foods.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Sturgeon

Soft and cuddly...this fish will be the highlight of your collection!

Our Plush Sturgeon

Our adorable, realistic stuffed sturgeon plush toy is 17 inches long from nose to tail. It has a lovely gray brown head and back, yellow ochre sides, light gray fins and a soft white belly and barbels. It is filled with bean composite and sewn of soft fabric. Our sturgeon has a kind and gentle expression. It makes for a thoughtful child's toy or fits nicely in a fish or stuffed animal collection. See our other cool stuffed fish toys and gifts.

About Sturgeon

Sturgeon belong to the genus of fish Acipenser. It is found in both saltwater and freshwater throughout the Northern Hemisphere. A sturgeon loves to swim near the bottom looking for small fish and crustaceans to eat. It is one the oldest fish in the world and looks ancient with scutes along its side, a shovel-nose face, and toothless mouth. The sturgeon is coveted as a smoked delicacy, although when properly prepared, can be a tasty steak as well. Also its roe is packaged and sold as treasured caviar. Sturgeon can be as much as 12 feet long, but 4 feet is probably an average size. Sturgeon is a prized catch among fishermen with strictly regulated seasons at least here in America. It is a concern that over-fishing, and increased pressure from hungry sea lions, are taking a toll on this most unusual and remarkable fish.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Channel Catfish

You can catch this catfish easily, and without bubble gum!

Our Stuffed Channel Catfish

This soft and colorful plush channel catfish toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This channel catfish is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush catfish replica would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other freshwater fish and fish toys and gifts.

About Channel Catfish

The most numerous North American catfish species, channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are also the most fished catfish species, being targeted by approximately 8 million anglers every year. A weight of 2-4 pounds is common, and weights of 10-20 pounds are not unheard of. The world record for weight in a channel catfish was set in 1964 at 58 pounds.

Channel catfish have outstanding senses of taste and smell. They have taste buds spread over their entire body, and can l literally taste with their skin, particularly around the whiskers or barbels located near their mouth. These keen senses allow the channel catfish to find its prey in murky, dark, cloudy water, where vision is useless. Channel catfish are omnivorous, and have been known to be caught on such unconventional baits as bubble gum, soap chunks, and dough flavored with drink powder.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Dunkleosteus

Jaws Schmaws...look at the jaws on THIS critter!

Our Plastic Dunkleosteus Replica

Our plastic dunkleosteus is a fearsome-looking creature of the prehistoric seas. Made as a museum-quality replica, the shape is true to life based on fossil remains. As with any re-created fossil animal, the coloring is left to the imagination. In this case, the plastic prehistoric fish is painted a strikingly attractive gold with black designs. The bony plates are clearly represented both on the top and bottom of the fish. The hard jaws and bony teeth match those in the fossil remains. Our plastic replica comes with a small informational tag in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. See more of our extinct animal toys and gifts.

About Dunkleosteus

Dunkleosteus had armor-like plates covering their bodies and grew to enormous size. Imagine one of these fierce creatures the size of a school bus! Dunkleosteus may have been cannibalistic, eating members of its own species. Dunkleosteus evolved in the Silurian Period and became extinct in the Late Devonian (the Devonian was the great age of fishes). It seems to have been a voracious predator, an eating machine that practically knew no bounds. The fossil record suggests that it often ate so much that it regurgitated partially-digested fish when it was over-filled or got indigestion. Although it had no teeth, dunkelosteus had razor-like, bony jaws that were self-sharpening. That, coupled with its strong jaws made it easy for dunkleosteus to slice into its prey - often creatures that were much larger than itself. Experts believe that only T-Rex and alligators have had the jaw-strength of this underwater predator. It was an interesting early "experiment," but it failed over time. Although dunkelosteus lived for about 60 million years, sharks have lived for about 400 million years. There are no living descendants of this prehistoric fish.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Stuffed Rainbow Trout

The perfect gift for the fisherman in your family!

Our Stuffed Rainbow Trout

This soft and colorful plush rainbow trout toy is well-made and realistic in both color and appearance. Wonderfully detailed and 17 inches long, this isn't your typical stuffed animal! This rainbow trout is stuffed with both soft fiber-filler and beans, allowing it to sit upright on it's belly. A fantastic gift for the fisherman, conservationist, or collector, this plush trout would also make a wonderful addition to a school project, a theatre prop, a wildlife decoration, or simply to snuggle up to! Check out our other trout and fish toys and gifts.

About Rainbow Trout

Also known as steelhead, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are native to tributaries of the northern Pacific Ocean in both Asia and North America. Steelhead are sea run, meaning they live in the ocean but return to fresh water to spawn. A very popular game fish, rainbow trout have been introduced to waters in at least 45 countries on every continent but Antarctica. In some cases, particularly in Australia, South America, and Southern Europe, this has had a negative impact on native fish species, who are decimated by rainbow trout through predation, competition, disease, and inter-breeding.

Rainbow trout are not choosy about their diet, eating virtually anything they can grab. Young rainbow trout, called "smolts", feed mostly on insects, fish eggs, crayfish and other crustaceans, and smaller fish. As they mature, fish become more and more their standard diet. In some land-locked cases, rainbow trout have been known to become planktonic feeders, feeding on drifting algae and microorganisms.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Queen Triggerfish

What a dazzling miniature! A remarkable addition to any collection!

Our Plastic Queen Triggerfish

This beautiful, realistic-looking queen triggerfish replica is made of solid plastic with flexible fins. The body together with the solid part of the fins is 4 7/8 inches long, but together with the flowing fins, this amazing museum-quality triggerfish miniature is 6 7/8 inches long. Our triggerfish toy has a myriad of colors and can be used as a gift, for a science project, for decorations, or as a collectible. Check out our other tropical fish toys and gifts.

About Queen Triggerfish

The Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetulae) is a common reef fish found primarily in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a commonly found on coral rubble, tops of reefs and in sea grass. Large triggerfish can reach up to 18 inches, but most are small and can be suitable for aquariums, but not in conjunction with other fish. It is agressive and may feed on smaller species. Normally the triggerfish feeds on small crustaceans and shrimp. It is good at camoflauge since and can change color quickly when frightened.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Beaded Clownfish Keychain from Guatemala

He found Nemo, now let Marlin help you find your car keys!

Our Beaded Clownfish Keychain

The beading on these clownfish keychains is securely stitched into a woven fabric of beads and is very sturdy. Unlike some beaded animals I've seen that are beautiful and engaging but very delicate, these dogs are durable and with normal handling will hold up extremely well. Check out our other fish as well as our page of beaded animals and beaded keychains from Guatemala. When you purchase one of these unique animals from our collection, you help in a number of ways. You help save tapirs, because that's what we do. You help the local artisans in Guatemala who need an outlet for their work (yes, jobs!), and you help my new friend Catherine with her sustainable business of working with the artisans of Guatemala to maintain jobs for themselves and make beautiful art for many people around the world to enjoy.

About Clownfish

There are about 28 different species of clownfish. In the wild they all form a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. They are also called anemone fish. Depending on species, clownfish are overall yellow, orange, reddish, or blackish, and many show white bars or patches. The largest reach a length of 7 inches but some are as small as 4 inches. The relationship with sea anemones is interesting. The clownfish feeds on undigested matter which otherwise potentially could harm the sea anemone, and the faecal matter from the clownfish provides nutrients to the sea anemone. It has also been suggested that the activity of the clownfish results in greater water circulation around the sea anemone. In addition to providing food for the clownfish, the sea anemone also provides safety due to its poison. Clownfish live in small groups around a single anemone.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Salmon

Another popular fish is back with us!

Our Plastic Sockeye Salmon

This sockeye salmon plastic animal will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama, plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift. Check out our many other plastic animals online. Be sure to look over our other plastic fish toys.

About Sockeye Salmon

The sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) is an oceangoing salmon that also lives in fresh water rivers. Therefore it is anadromus. It is found mainly in the North Pacific and its associated rivers, especially in British Columbia and Alaska, although in 2010 sockeye salmon have been returning in large numbers to the Columbia River which makes the border between Washington and Oregon. The name "Sockeye" is allegedly a folk adaptation of an Indian word from a tribe along the lower Fraser River. In the ocean, where the sockeye lives for 4-6 years, the fish is all silver in color with a blue tinge, but when it returns to the river to spawn, the male becomes bright red with a black face. Spawning season is usually in July or August and, of course, it is totally amazing that the sockeye salmon finds its way back to the source where it was born. It is theorized that each river has a characteristic odor that the sockeye has memorized and therefore navigates by smell.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Piranha

At long last, we've got these popular little fish back at TPF!

Our Plastic Piranha

This piranha is one of our series of lively and lifelike plastic animals - or in this case, plastic fish. Its realistic shape and details will be enjoyed as part of a school project, diorama, plastic animal collection, as a party favor, or gift. Check out our terrific selection of plastic fish toys.

About Piranha

Piranhas (Serrasalmus) are a freshwater fish native to South American. Although they have been labeled as meat-eaters, they also eat plant matter, seeds and fruit. They are about 8-12 inches long and have a narrow body with a blunt head. Their strong jaws contain razor sharp, triangular-shaped teeth.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Plastic Black Stingray

This fabulous replica will add a touch of realism to any aquatic diorama!

Our Plastic Stingray

Plasic Stingray: This stingray is made of tough, flexible plastic. The size is measured from nose to tail. Use for sea-life dioramas, school projects, toys, novelties, animal collections, party favors and more. Be sure to look over our other ray toys and gifts.

About Stingrays

The stingray is in the (Dasyatidae) family which include cartilaginous marine fish like skates and sharks. The stingray swims with a flying motion using its strong pectoral wings for propulsion. Most of the time it lies on the bottom covered with sand and feeds on small crustaceans using an acute sense of smell and electro-receptors. It is a docile creature but derives its ominous name from a razor-sharp barb which protrudes from its spine. The sting causes miserable pain and can be fatal if left untreated. Since stingrays are often found in shallow water, they can be easily stepped on by divers, swimmers and snorkelers. The barb usually breaks off but will regenerate in the animal. There are many different species of stingrays varying in size from palm-sized to a body of six feet in diameter. There are also some freshwater varieties found in South America.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.