FishWatch API vs HTTP Cat API

Two free Animals APIs compared on access, reliability and developer ratings, using data from our daily health checks.

The verdict

Choose FishWatch API if its data fits your use case better; on access and reliability it's level with HTTP Cat API.
Choose HTTP Cat API if you want faster responses.

	FishWatch API	HTTP Cat API
What it does	Information and pictures about individual fish species.	Cat for every HTTP Status.
Provider	NOAA	HTTP Cats
API key	Not needed	Not needed
HTTPS	Yes	Yes
CORS (browser calls)	Yes	Yes
Status today	Online · 2075 ms	Online · 683 ms
Uptime (30 days)	Up	Up
Developer rating	Not rated yet	Not rated yet
Price	Free / free tier	Free / free tier

Information and pictures about individual fish species.

Learn how NOAA Fisheries supports the development of both farm-raised and wild-captured resources to meet growing demand for sustainable seafood.

Strengths

Cat for every HTTP Status.

API for HTTP Cats

Strengths

Prototyping or a tutorial? Pick the one that needs no API key (both qualify).
Calling from a web page? You need CORS. Otherwise route requests through your own server or a serverless function.
Going to production? Favour HTTPS, a strong uptime record and a provider with clear rate limits and terms. Check each API's docs before you commit.
Still unsure? Both are free to try: send one request to each and compare the data you get back.