Here are some options depending on the specific group of underwater animals:
* Shoal/School - Often used for fish, especially when they swim together in large numbers.
* Pod - Used for dolphins, whales, and sometimes seals.
* Colony - Often used for coral, sea anemones, and other sessile organisms.
* Bed - Used for oysters, clams, and other bivalves.
* Flock - Can be used for jellyfish or other invertebrates that move in large groups.
You could also use more general terms like a multitude, a throng, a mass, a swarm to describe a large gathering of underwater animals.
Ultimately, the best collective noun depends on the context and the specific species you're referring to.