Top 10 Most Colorful Fish Species on Earth

Some animals have stripes. Others have spots. But fish? Fish explode with colour. From deep oceans to quiet rivers, these colorful fish species shine brighter than birds or butterflies.

Their colours are not just pretty. Bright colours help them survive. Some use colour to scare predators. Others use it to attract mates. A few do both at the same time. These ten colorful fish species show how colourful nature can be.

1. Flame Angelfish – The Ember That Swims

Bright orange red with black stripes and glowing blue edges. It looks like fire in water. These small fish live in coral reefs and eat algae.

• Habitat: Coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean
• Origin: Oceania, including Fiji and Tahiti
• Classification: Centropyge loricula (Angelfish family)

They swim with quick, sharp moves and hide between rocks. When they flash their colours, it feels like a spark underwater.

When I first saw one, it looked too bright to be real. Like someone coloured it with markers. I like it because it shows small fish can look powerful too.

But then I found a fish that glows without any real colour. It shines using light. Lets see what makes it so unique.

2. Mandarin Dragonet – Nature’s Living Lava Lamp

This small fish glows in blue, orange, and green. But the blue isn’t real colour, it’s light bouncing off its skin. Its body works like shiny glass. In the evening, it dances to find a mate and lights up like a small lantern.

• Habitat: Shallow coral reefs with lots of hiding spots
• Origin: Western Pacific Ocean
• Classification: Synchiropus splendidus (Dragonet family)

When I first saw a photo, I thought it had lights inside. It looked like something from a dream. That made me wonder, what other fish could look this magical? The next one feels like a royal flag swimming through the sea.

3. Moorish Idol – The Reef’s Royal Ribbon

This fish has black, white, and yellow colours. Its long fin looks like a flag in water. People say it brings luck. But in tanks, it often stops eating and gets weak. It is pretty, but also very fussy.

• Habitat: Coral-rich shallows and reef flats
• Origin: Indo-Pacific region
• Classification: Zanclus cornutus (only species in its family)

The first time I saw it, I thought it looked like a painting that moved. I didn’t think anything could be more special. But the next creature isn’t even a fish, and it still grabs all the attention.

4. Peacock Mantis Shrimp – Not a Fish, but Who Cares?

Rainbow shell. Punch like a bullet. Eyes that see colours you can’t even imagine. This creature is so wild, we had to include it. It hits hard, shines like a disco ball, and still looks proud. Not a fish, but a total star.

• Habitat: Burrows in sandy or rocky seabeds
• Origin: Indo-Pacific reefs
• Classification: Odontodactylus scyllarus (Stomatopod crustacean)

When I first learned about it, I was amazed. How can something so small punch so hard and still glow like that? But the next fish? It wears colours like royalty.

5. Queen Angelfish – Crowned and Glowing

This fish has bright yellow fins and a deep blue body. Its face has glowing blue marks. It looks like it was made with shiny paint. Young fish have simple colours, but adults show off bright patterns. The blue crown on its head shines most during mating time. It looks royal, and it knows it.

• Habitat: Warm coral reefs
• Origin: Western Atlantic, from Florida to Brazil
• Classification: Holacanthus ciliaris (Angelfish family)

When I first saw this fish, it felt like a king swimming in the sea. The colours looked rich and proud. But the next one surprised me even more. It’s smaller, but it plays with colours in a fun and tricky way. Let’s see it.

6. Royal Gramma – The Ultimate Colour Fade

This small fish looks half purple, half yellow. It lives upside-down under coral ledges. The colours fade from one side to the other, which helps confuse predators.

• Habitat: Coral reef caves and ledges
• Origin: Tropical western Atlantic Ocean
• Classification: Gramma loreto (Grammatidae family)

When I first saw it, I stared at its colour line like it was drawn by an artist. But the next fish? It looks beautiful, and it can hurt you too.

7. Common Lionfish – Beauty with a Side of Venom

This fish has long fins and red-white stripes. It looks pretty but has 18 sharp spines that can hurt a lot. It moves slow but strikes fast. In some places, it eats too many small fish and causes big problems for other sea life. Its bold colours also confuse prey, making them easier to catch.

• Habitat: Coral reefs and rocky crevices
• Origin: Indian and Pacific Oceans (now invasive in the Atlantic)
• Classification: Pterois miles (Scorpaenidae family)

When I first saw it, I thought it was calm and gentle. But I learned it’s actually a threat in the wrong places. The next fish? It shines bright red and can cost more than a car.

8. Super Red Asian Arowana – The Million-Dollar Dragon

This fish is bright red and looks like a moving jewel. It can even breathe air from the top of the water. In some places, people believe it brings good luck. Some are sold for more than $300,000. As it grows, its colour gets deeper and stronger.

• Habitat: Slow-moving rivers, swamps, and blackwater lakes
• Origin: Southeast Asia (mainly Indonesia and Malaysia)
• Classification: Scleropages formosus (Arowana family)

I saw a video of one swimming slowly. It looked proud, like it knew it was special. But the next fish is even more fun. It changes its colours like a mood light.

9. Queen Triggerfish – Colour-Shifter of the Reef

This fish has blue, yellow, green, and purple on its body. But it can change colour depending on its mood or the light around it. It has strong jaws that can break sea urchins and a spine on its back that pops up when it feels danger. Some even use water jets to flip food over.

• Habitat: Coral reefs, mostly near rocky spots
• Origin: Atlantic Ocean (from Canada to Brazil)
• Classification: Balistes vetula (Triggerfish family)

The first time I saw it, I couldn’t believe how it moved and changed colour. It looked clever, like it was thinking. But the next fish? It’s tiny, rare, and looks just like a piece of candy.

10. Peppermint Angelfish – The Deep Sea Candy Cane

This tiny fish has red and white stripes and a bright yellow face. It looks like a candy cane. It lives deep in the ocean, hiding in caves where there’s little light. It’s very rare and hard to find. Some people have paid more than a car to own one. Its colours are real, not changed by humans.

• Habitat: Deep coral reef caves and ledges
• Origin: Central Pacific Ocean (especially around the Cook Islands)
• Classification: Centropyge boylei (Angelfish family)

The first time I read about it, I couldn’t believe it was real. It felt like a fish from a cartoon. But there are many more colourful fish that people don’t know. Let’s see them.

Hidden Gems: Colorful Fish You Might Not Know (Yet)

Bluefin Notho Killifish – Bright red body, sky-blue fins, and tiger-like stripes. Lives fast, dies young. A seasonal stunner.

Wrought Iron Butterflyfish – Charcoal black with yellow tips. Elegant, bold, and known to swim in tight shimmering balls.

Cherry Barb – Deep red males that glow in shadowy waters. Understated brilliance.

Rainbow Shark – Dark body, blazing red fins. A freshwater punk with an attitude problem.

Peacock Gudgeon – Looks like it was designed by a toddler with glitter pens. Neon stripes, yellow fins, and a surprise: females are flashier.

Final Thoughts: Why We Love Colorful Fish Species Here on FinnyTales

Here on FinnyTales, we love colourful fish not just because they look nice, but because they tell stories. Underwater colour isn’t random. It’s communication. It’s camouflage. It’s power.

These fish don’t just look amazing, they mean something. From coral reefs to muddy rivers, each flash of blue or burst of red tells a story of survival, seduction, and science.

Know a fish that could outshine these? Drop it in the comments below!