Hengtai Aquarium: The 12 Most Beautiful Ornamental Fish in the World

The vast array of different fish that exist on Earth is a perfect example of biodiversity, coming in countless shapes, colors and sizes. Some particularly special species of ornamental fish have fascinating appearances and unique features that make them stand out among their extraordinarily large number of peers. We have tried to list the following 12 species that are considered the most ornamental marine aquarium fish in the world, for your enjoyment.

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 for crushing 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 experience. Its diet mainly consists of sea urchins, mollusks and crustaceans, and some species also eat small fish, plankton or algae.

2. Lined Butterflyfish

It inhabits the Red Sea all the way to South Africa, but it has also been found in certain areas of Hawaii and southern Japan. This beautiful creature boasts a spectacular combination of white, black and yellow tones, along with a series of vertical lines running across its body. It can grow up to 12 inches long, and the Lined Butterflyfish mainly eats invertebrates, algae and coral polyps.

3. Banggai Cardinalfish

Place of origin: the Banggai Islands of Indonesia. The Banggai Cardinalfish has a very limited distribution range, and people have only found traces of them living near the Banda Islands in eastern Indonesia. This fish has black and white stripes on its body and gorgeous fins, making it an ideal species for aquarium enthusiasts to collect. As the Banggai Cardinalfish grows more and more popular, demand keeps increasing. All Banggai Cardinalfish caught near the Banda Islands are shipped to aquarium traders around the world. It is estimated that more than 9,000 Banggai Cardinalfish are now caught and sold each year. People are now also trying to use captive breeding programs to help the aquarium industry stop selling wild-caught Banggai Cardinalfish. Some organizations have also regulated the trade of the Banggai Cardinalfish and advise relevant aquariums not to buy wild-caught fish. It is listed as an "Endangered" species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

4. Snakeskin Discus

Considered the best-looking fish in the world. It is also a very common aquarium fish, showing off a unique blue color against a reddish background. In the wild, it can be found in many parts of the Amazon River. Keeping this fish requires very careful maintenance, because it only eats certain types of food, and its water needs to be well filtered. This fish is mainly carnivorous, so it likes special pellet food, freeze-dried worms or other frozen meat meals.

5. Emperor Angelfish

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 small scales as well as a pointed snout. Young Emperor Angelfish mainly eat plankton, while larger ones are omnivorous, so they sometimes nibble on algae. Because it is especially beautiful, it can also often be seen in aquariums.

6. French Angelfish

Native to the western part of the Atlantic as well as the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. This gorgeous marine creature has black coloring complemented by yellow stripes, and it can grow up to 15 inches. Most of its diet consists of sponges. This fish can not only be kept as an ornamental fish, but because its flesh is delicious, it is also often sold in markets as an ingredient.

7. Dwarf Gourami

Thanks to its translucent blue tones and deep orange stripes, it has become a very popular fish in various aquariums around the world. This fish originally comes 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. Lion Fish

It is a beautiful but very venomous fish that lives in the waters of the Indo-Pacific. The Lion Fish has bands of white, red, brown or black, as well as a set of intimidating fin rays on its back. Even though being stung by one of these is a very painful experience, rest assured that its venom is usually not fatal.

9. Juvenile Emperor Angelfish

It is one of the most beautiful fish in the world, boasting a superb coloration composed of a mix of dark blue, white and electric blue. These colors are neatly arranged in circular patterns and remain roughly unchanged for 4 years, until the fish matures. After that, the adult fish develops black shading around its eyes, as well as a series of blue and yellow stripes.

10. Mandarinfish

Possibly the most beautiful fish on Earth, this stunning little creature lives in the Pacific, especially on coral reefs, and it is quite small (2.6 inches), so it is not easy to spot in the wild. Its diet includes fish eggs, polychaete worms and ostracods, and it is considered very difficult to keep in an aquarium because its requirements for fish food are extremely high.

11. Rainbow Parrot Fish

It gets its name from its bird-like beak, which allows it to skillfully eat the small invertebrates found in coral. By nibbling on coral and spitting out the leftovers once it is done, it leaves quite a "mess" on the coral floor. As far as aesthetics go, the body of the Rainbow Parrot Fish combines yellow spots with a combination of blue, green, purple and pink tones.

12. Queen Angelfish (holacanthus ciliaris)

Its scientific name is Holacanthus ciliaris, and it is widely distributed in the western and central Atlantic Ocean, living in sea areas with lush coral reefs. The Queen Angelfish has an elegant temperament and is deeply loved by people, making it an enduring marine ornamental fish. Its body is oval and laterally compressed, with a distinct blue outline and several bright blue vertical stripes. Its whole body is densely covered with grid-like pearl-shaped yellow spots edged in blue. The dark blue dorsal and anal fins are decorated with royal blue edging. There is a black spot with a blue rim in front of the dorsal fin, blue dots on the gill cover, and the rear part of the gill cover and the base of the pectoral fins are bright yellow. The area around the eyes is blue, and there are blue and black spots at the base of the pectoral fins. The snout, chest, pectoral fins, pelvic fins and caudal fin are orange-yellow. The tips of the dorsal and anal fins are long and pointed, reaching all the way to the end of the caudal fin. Adults are bright yellow, green or golden brown, with scales arranged in an orderly, staggered pattern. The base color of this fish can vary depending on lighting or hybridization with the same species.

Of course, beautiful aquarium fish are diverse and varied, and as the saying goes, every flower pleases a different eye. Which fish do you think looks better?