When it comes to aquarium fish, there are many different species that are prized for their beautiful colors and striking appearances. But what exactly makes a fish pretty? Some key factors that contribute to a fish’s aesthetic appeal include vibrant colors, elegant fins, interesting patterns and markings, and unique body shapes. While beauty is subjective, there are certain fish that consistently top the lists of the prettiest freshwater and saltwater fish. In this article, we will explore some of the most visually stunning fish that are popular in the aquarium trade.
Characteristics of Pretty Fish
Here are some of the main characteristics that lend a fish its good looks:
- Bright, vivid colors – This includes metallic colors like gold and silver as well as neon tones like electric blue or fire engine red.
- Long, flowing fins – Elaborate tail and fin shapes add movement and drama.
- Striking patterns – Contrasting bands, spots, or stripes make the fish more eye-catching.
- Unique body shape – An unusual silhouette, such as a disc-shaped or extremely elongated body, can be very aesthetically appealing.
- Iridescence – Shimmery, metallic flecks or scales that shine and change color depending on the viewing angle.
- Symmetry – A proportional, balanced body shape lends an elegant beauty.
- Graceful movement – Some fish seem to “dance” or float effortlessly through the water.
The most beautiful fish combine several of these visual elements to create a stunning aquatic showpiece. Now let’s look at some specific examples of the most gorgeous fish species.
Prettiest Freshwater Fish
Here are some top contenders for the title of prettiest freshwater aquarium fish:
Betta Fish
Bettas, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are extremely popular fish pets thanks to the males’ long, flowing fins and brilliant colors. Selectively bred for their beauty, betta fish come in a rainbow of colors and tail types, including red, blue, green, turquoise, yellow, orange, black, white, and purple. The crowntail betta is especially striking with its spikey, fringed fins.
Discus Fish
Discus fish have a unique disc-like body shape and captivating pattern variations. Wild strains are brownish with blue stripes, while domestic varieties display an array of red, orange, green, blue, and turquoise colors with spots, bars, lace, snakeskin, and leopard print patterns. Their graceful movements and social interactions add to their beauty.
Guppies
These small, peaceful fish come in almost every color imaginable, with fancy variations exhibiting spots,splashes, snakeskin patterns, and large flowing fins. The delta and half-black pastel varieties are especially prized for their visual appeal. Males are more vividly colored than females and have showier fins.
Koi
Koi originated as ornamental carp in Japan. They are renowned for their brilliant color variations, which include red, orange, yellow, white, black, blue, and cream. Interesting scalation patterns such as metallic, net-like patterns also contribute to their aesthetic value.
Platies
Another small, peaceful fish that comes in a wide variety of colors, the platy exhibits yellow, orange, red, black, blue, and purple tones with striking finnage shapes such as the swordtail and moon tail varieties. Their colorful, active presence brightens up community aquariums.
Other Notable Mentions
Other freshwater fish with stunning good looks include angelfish, neon tetras, pearl gouramis, dwarf gouramis, and the pearlscale goldfish.
Prettiest Saltwater Fish
Saltwater aquariums give the opportunity to keep some extremely colorful and eye-catching species too. Here are some of the most beautiful saltwater fish:
Clownfish
Iconic from Finding Nemo, clownfish are arguably the most popular saltwater fish for home aquariums. They form symbiotic relationships with anemones and come in orange, black, pink, and yellow-colored bodies with bold white bands.
Banggai Cardinalfish
This elongated fish has an elegant aesthetic with its black and white coloration. Peaceful and reef-safe, it’s a unique addition to a marine tank.
Mandarinfish
Considered one of the most beautiful fish in the world, the mandarinfish exhibits an incredible array of colors including electric neon blue, green, orange, red, and yellow. Its elegant fins and small size accentuate its beauty.
Regal Tang
The regal tang, also known as the palette surgeonfish, is a brightly colored fish with hues of yellow, navy blue, and purple contrasting against bold black markings along its oval body shape. This fish was featured in the popular movie Finding Nemo.
Flame Angelfish
With their deep red-orange bodies and bold black vertical stripes, flame angelfish have an eye-catching look. Their heart-shaped silhouette adds romantic appeal.
Other Notable Mentions
Other saltwater beauties include dottybacks, lionfish, wrasses, anthias, dwarf angels, and butterflyfish. The vivid coral also complements the fish.
Most Expensive and Rare Freshwater Fish
Let’s look at some of the most highly prized and expensive freshwater fish, which command hefty price tags due to their rarity and coveted appearances:
| Fish | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Asian arowana | $150 – $300 |
| Platinum arowana | $400 – $1500 |
| Black diamond stingray | $5000 – $30,000 |
| Red dragon flowerhorn cichlid | $1000 – $5000 |
| Ghost koi | $5000+ |
| Metallic jet-black arowana | $20,000+ |
As you can see, the rarest and most unique color morphs of popular fish like arowana, koi, and flowerhorn cichlids command the highest prices. Ghost koi and jet-black metallic arowana in particular are some of the most coveted and therefore expensive aquarium fish on the market.
Most Expensive and Rare Saltwater Fish
Here are some record-breaking saltwater fish and their hefty price tags:
| Fish | Price |
|---|---|
| Peppermint angelfish | $30,000 |
| Platinum butterflyfish | $20,000 – $30,000 |
| Clarion angelfish | $20,000+ |
| Masked angelfish | $20,000+ |
| Gem tang | $10,000 – $20,000 |
Rare color morphs of angelfish seem to fetch the highest prices, along with unusual variants of other species like the platinum butterflyfish. The limited availability and high collector demand for these unusual saltwater fish push prices into the tens of thousands.
Conclusion
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to the aesthetic appeal of aquarium fish. However, certain freshwater and saltwater fish consistently rise to the top as the most prized, gorgeous, and coveted fish due to their brilliant colors, elegant fins, and interesting patterns.
Some key characteristics that contribute to a fish’s beauty include vibrant colors, striking fins, symmetrical bodies, unusual shapes, and graceful movement. The most visually striking fish combine several of these elements and are often selectively bred to intensify their colors and finnage.
While prettiness is subjective, bettas, discus, mandarinfish, flame angelfish, koi, and regal tangs are some names that frequently top the lists of the most stunning fish. Rare color morphs and patterns also command very high prices in the aquarium trade.
The diversity of aquarium fish allows everyone to find a uniquely beautiful fish to appreciate and enjoy. With proper care, some of nature’s living works of art can thrive at home, bringing beauty into the lives of fish enthusiasts.
