The abundance of different fish species on Earth is a perfect example of biodiversity, which comes in countless shapes, colors and sizes. Some of these special species of ornamental fish have a captivating look and unique features that make them stand out from their extremely larger counterparts. Xiaobian tries to list the following 12 species of ornamental fish that are considered to be the most ornamental in the world for you to enjoy.
1. Trigger fish
Found in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in coastal areas or coral reefs. This gorgeous fish has an oval body and a large head, including a small but very hard mouth used to crush shells. It is well known that most fish have only a very short memory, but this fish is surprisingly intelligent and can even learn from past experiences. Its diet consists mainly of sea urchins, molluscs and crustaceans, and some species also eat small fish, plankton or algae.
2. Butterflyfish
It has lived in the Red Sea all the way to South Africa, but it has also been found in Hawaii and some areas of southern Japan. This beautiful creature boasts a spectacular combination of white, black and yellow tones, as well as a series of vertical lines running through its body. It can grow up to 12 inches long, and butterflyfish mainly eat invertebrates, algae, and coral polyps.
3. Surabaya rosefish
The Surabaya rosefish have a very limited range, and only traces of their existence have been found near the Banda Islands in eastern Indonesia. With black and white stripes and gorgeous fins, this fish is an ideal breed for aquarium lovers to collect. As Surabaya rosefish becomes more popular, so does the demand. All Surabaya rosefish caught near the Banda Islands are shipped to aquarium operators around the world. It is estimated that more than 9,000 Surabaya rosefish are now caught and sold each year. Now there are also attempts to help the aquarium industry stop selling wild-caught rosefish in Surabaya through artificial farming programs. Other organizations have also regulated the trade in Surabaya rosefish and advised aquariums not to buy wild fish. It is listed as "endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
4. Colorful immortals
Considered the best fish in the world. It is also a very common aquarium fish, showing off a distinctive blue color against a reddish background. In the wild, it can be found in many parts of the Amazon River. Raising this fish requires very careful care because it only eats certain types of food and its water needs to be well filtered. This fish is mainly meat-eating, so it prefers to feed special pellet foods, freeze-dried earthworms or other meat frozen bait.
5. Imperial thorn-tailed seabream
Known for its beautiful blue and black colors complemented by a yellow tail. This fish can grow up to 12 inches long, and it has a small scale as well as a pointed nose. The young blue kingfish predominantly eat plankton, while the larger ones are omnivorous, so they sometimes nibble on algae. Since it is particularly beautiful, it can also often be seen in aquariums.
6. Angelfish
It originates in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean as well as in the gulf of Mexico and caribbean waters. This gorgeous sea creature has a black hue, complemented by yellow stripes, which can be up to 15 inches long. Most of its diet includes sponges, which can not only be used as ornamental fish because of its delicious flesh, but also often sold in the market as an ingredient.
7. Red Lili
Due to its translucent blue hue and dark orange stripes, it has become a very popular fish in various aquariums around the world. The fish originally came from certain South Asian countries, such as India or Pakistan, but due to its popularity, it can be seen in many other parts of the world.
8. Lionfish
It is a beautiful but very poisonous fish that lives in the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The lionfish has a band of white, red, brown or black, as well as a set of intimidating fin rays on its back. Even though being stabbed by one of these things is a very painful experience, rest assured that it's not usually fatal for venom.
9. Big Flower Face Angel Fish
One of the most beautiful fish in the world, it boasts an excellent color mix of dark blue, white and indigo. These colors are neatly arranged in a circular pattern and remain roughly unchanged for 4 years until the fish matures. After that, adult fish form black hues around their eyes, as well as a series of blue and yellow stripes.
10. Frogfish
Probably the most beautiful fish on earth, this amazing little creature lives in the Pacific Ocean, especially on coral reefs, and it's quite small (2.6 inches) and it's not easy to spot in the wild. Its diet includes fish eggs, polycateran worms and ostriches, and it is considered difficult to keep in the aquarium because of its very high requirements for fish feed.
11. Rainbow parrotfish
Named after the beak of its birds, this allows it to subtly eat the small invertebrates found in corals. By nibbling on the coral, and it spews out the residue once it is done, thus leaving a considerable "mess" on the coral floor. In terms of aesthetics, the body of the rainbow parrot fish combines a combination of yellow spots, blue, green purple and pink tones.
12. Queen Immortal
It is widely distributed in the western and central Atlantic oceans and lives in coral reef-rich seas. The forehead-spotted flounder is elegant in temperament and loved by people, and is an enduring ornamental fish in the sea. The body is ovoid and flattened, with a distinct blue outline and several bright blue vertical stripes, the whole body is densely meshed with beaded yellow dots with blue edges, the dark blue dorsal fin and fin are decorated with royal blue edges, the dorsal fin has a blue margin black spot in front of the dorsal fin, the gill cover has a blue spot, the back of the gill cover and the base of the pectoral fin are bright yellow, the eyes are blue, and the base of the pectoral fin has blue and black spots. The snout , thorax , pectoral, ventral fins , and caudal fins are orange-yellow. The dorsal fin and the tip of the fin are long enough to reach the end of the caudal fin. Adults are bright yellow, green or golden brown , with scales interspersed on their bodies. This fish base color will vary depending on light or hybridization of the same species.
Source: Ornamental fish