The most beautiful and pretty aquarium fish have always been a favorite of many people worldwide.
They are not only prized for their beauty but also because they can bring happiness to those who keep them as pets.
There is a huge variety of these fish available on the market, so it is important to know which ones will work best in your tank.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most beautiful varieties of fish that you might want to consider adding to your tank!
The Most Beautiful Fish For Aquarium
1. Clownfish
An extremely popular fish due to it’s bright coloration, personality, and it’s resemblance to the movie fish, Nemo.
The clownfish, also known as a False Clownfish or a Clown Anemonefish is a great choice for any aquarium.
They are easily recognizable with their vibrant orange body, white bands, and black tipped fins.
- Common Names: Ocellaris Clownfish, False Percula Clownfish, Common Clownfish, Nemo
- Scientific Name: Amphiprion ocellaris
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Lifespan: 6 years
- Size: Up to 4 inches
- Care level: Easy
2. Regal Angelfish
The Regal Angelfish is a truly stunning and elegant fish!
They can easily be spotted due to their striking color and patterns. Most Regal Angelfish have yellow/orange and white stripes with a purple/blue color that outlines these stripes.
They are not aggressive fish, and shouldn’t be paired with aggressive species.
Regal Angelfish should also be quarantined for a minimum of two weeks to help reduce the risk of introducing disease into your main tank.
- Common Names:Regal Angelfish, Royal Angelfish, Empress Angelfish, Blue-Banded Angelfish
- Scientific Name: Pygoplites diacanthus
- Family: Pomacanthidae
- Lifespan: 15 years
- Size: 10 inches
- Care level: Hard
3. Electric Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus)
As the name suggests, this species is bright yellow and grow to around 4-5 inches in length.
You’ll also notice some black trailing from one side of the fish to the other on its dorsal, ventral, and anal fins.
The Electric Yellow Lab are semi-aggressive, so you will need to do your research on the best tank mates to place them with.
They aren’t difficult to look after, provided that you give them the right environment to thrive in.
- Common Names: Electric yellow lab, lemon yellow lab, blue streak hap, electric yellow, yellow prince
- Scientific Name: Labidochromis caeruleus
- Family: Cichlidae
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Size: 4-5 inches
- Care level: Intermediate
4. Endlers (Poecilia wingei)
Endlers have a vibrant variety of color which can make them a beautiful addition to any aquarium.
These colors include orange, yellow, blue, black, metallic green, plus much more. Each individual fish has different variety and combinations of these colors, making each individual fish very unique.
They are very peaceful fish, and one male should be kept for for every 3-5 females.
This species is very beginner friendly. So if you are a hobbyist just starting out, and looking to add some vibrant color to your aquarium, Endlers are an excellent option.
- Common Names: Endlers, Endler’s livebearer, Endler’s guppy
- Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei
- Family: Poeciliidae
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
- Size: 1-1.8 inches
- Care level: Beginner
5. Butterflyfish
This exotic colored fish will make a great addition to your aquarium.
Butterfly fish are one of the most popular fish in the aquarium hobby, and they get their name from their unique, butterfly-like appearance.
They are so popular due to their aesthetic appearance and bright vivid colors that include blues, whites, yellows, oranges, and reds.
With many different variations of this species, some are actually dull in color, but are still popular because of their intricate paterns.
- Common Names: Butterflyfish
- Scientific Name: Chaetodontidae
- Family: Chaetodontidae
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Size: 4-8.5 inches
- Care level: Moderate – difficult
6. Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus)
Native to the Pacific Ocean, the Mandarin Dragonet is a spectacular looking fish and has a very distinctive coloration.
They generally have a light blue body with orange stripes and black markings on the fins. They can reach up to 3 inches in length and should be kept in a tank of at least 30 gallons.
The Mandarin Dragonet is a peaceful fish that will generally just ignore other species.
Due to their specialized diet requirements, Mandarin Fish are hard to keep, and should only be kept by more experienced aquarists.
- Common Names: Mandarin goby, Mandarinfish
- Scientific Name: Synchiropus splendidus
- Family: Callionymidae
- Lifespan: Up to 5 years
- Size: Up to 3 inches
- Care level: Moderate
7. Jaguar Cichlid (Parachromis managuensis)
Jaguar Cichlids are a beautiful and popular cichlid from Central America with a very distinctive look.
You will instantly know why they are called “Jaguar Cichlid” due to their spotted coloration.
Although very beautiful to look at, this species is extremely feisty.
They are a predatory fish, and will readily attack smaller fish. They generally grow to around 14-16 inches in length and require a large tank of at least 70 gallons.
Jaguar Cichlids are very aggressive and pairing them with other fish can be extremely challenging.
- Common Names: Jaguar Cichlid, Managuense cichlid, Aztec cichlid, Spotted guapote
- Scientific Name: Parachromis managuensis
- Family: Cichlidae
- Lifespan: 15 years
- Size: 14 inches
- Care level: Expert
8. Flowerhorn Cichlid (man-made hybrid)
The Flowerhorn Cichlid is a very colorful and unique looking fish.
The head starts with a vibrant red/orange that fades into white/gold as it goes into their body.
The tails of most species have long trailing rays at their dorsal and anal fins. Many tail shapes are available depending on the color type.
As well as the bright color, it is the shapes of this fish that makes them very unique.
They have pouty lips, large, thick bodies, and a nuchal lump which really makes them stand out even amongst other vibrant fish.
It’s best to keep Flowerhorn Cichlids alone due to their aggressive nature. If a pair have grew up together since juveniles, then this is only only way they may be kept together in the same tank.
- Common Names: Flowerhorn, Flowerhorn cichlid, Kamfa, King Kamfa, Golden Monkey, Thai Silk, Red Dragon, Kamalau, Golden Base, Red Texas
- Family: Cichlidae
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Size: 10-12 inches
- Care level: Intermediate
9. Picasso Triggerfish
The Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) is a strikingly beautiful fish that is popular in the aquarium hobby.
You can see why the fish was named after the famous Spanish painter Picasso.
With striking colors such as yellow and bright blue striped patterns and gradients on certain parts of their body, they are a very beautiful fish to look at.
What makes them unique is the overall shape and features of this species. The proportions of the mouth, eyes, and a large oval-shaped body, this fish looks like something straight out of a kids cartoon.
- Common Names:Humu Picasso Triggerfish, lagoon triggerfish, blackbar triggerfish
- Scientific Name: Rhinecanthus aculeatus
- Family: Balistidae
- Lifespan: Up to 10 years
- Size: Up to 12 inches
- Care level: Easy-moderate
10. Fancy Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Not only are Fancy guppies extremely easy to breed, but they are also a very pretty and colorful fish.
The males are the ones that typically have the most vibrant colors, with shades of blue, green, and yellow being very common.
Females on the other hand usually have a more dull coloration, but this doesn’t make them any less attractive. In fact, they can still be quite beautiful in their own way.
As well as their vibrant colors and striking patterns, they are also very active fish, which means you will witness a spectacle of beauty inside of your tank. Especially if you keep a large group of them.
- Common names: Fancy guppies, guppy, millionfish, rainbow fish
- Scientific Name: Poecilia Reticulata
- Family: Poeciliidae
- Lifespan: 2 years
- Size: 2 inches
- Care level: Beginner
11. German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)
The electric yellow oval bodies and brilliant blue spots of the German Blue Ram make them a beautiful, and popular choice amongst aquarists.
Also known as the Ram Cichlid, this species is generally very peaceful, can can be territorial and get aggressive with other rams.
A beginner aquarist may be tempted with this beautiful fish, but you will really need a bit of experience behind you to hand this fish. Rams are very sensitive to poor water parameters, which means you will need to know how to keep the water clean.
- Common Names: German Blue Ram, Ram Cichlid, German Blue
- Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
- Family: Cichlidae
- Lifespan: 3 years
- Size: 2-3 inches
- Care level: Expert
12. Green Terror Cichlid (Andinoacara rivulatus)
Green Terror Cichlids are similar to Oscar Fish in terms of pattern, but their colors are much more vibrant.
The general requirements for keeping Green Terror Cichlids in a tank are relatively simple, but managing them is more difficult.
This id due to their aggressive nature, and can often terrorize other fish in the aquarium. Although this can be managed by ensuring you provide plenty of food, and match them with the correct tank mates.
- Common Names: Green Terror Cichlid
- Scientific Name: Andinoacara rivulatus
- Family: Cichlidae
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
- Size: 6-12 inches
- Care level: Intermediate
13. Harlequin Rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
Native to Asia, the Harlequin is a tropical fish from the Cyprinidae family who can also be found in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
They are very small fish at around 2 inches and length, and are great for beginners because they are easy to care for.
One of the main reasons being that they are very peaceful fish who get on well with most other species.
- Common Names: Harlequin Rasboras, Red Rasbora
- Scientific Name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Lifespan: 5 years
- Size: 2 inches
- Care level: Beginner
14. Lionfish (Scorpaenidae)
Native to the Pacific Ocean, the Lionfish, also known as Dragon Fish, Tiger Fish and Scorpion Fish, is one of the most beautiful fish you will ever see.
They get their common name from the long, flowing mane of spines that run along their back and down their sides.
These spines are venomous and can cause a great deal of pain if they come into contact with human skin.
Lionfish have bright red, orange and yellow stripes running vertically down their body.
- Common Names: Lionfish, zebrafish, firefish, turkeyfish, butterfly-cod, red lionfish, peacock lionfish, red firefish, scorpion volitans, devil firefish
- Scientific Name: Pterois volitans
- Family: Scorpaenidae
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
- Size: Up to 12 inches
- Care level: Easy-moderate
15. Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis)
Paradise fish are a stunning choice of freshwater fish due to their bright blue and red striped bodies, large dorsal fins, and forked tails.
Although very pretty fish to look at, they can be extremely aggressive fish both with other smaller fish, and towards each other.
When fighting, you will also notice a change in color in this fish. Dark blue lateral lines will appear along the side of their body.
For every 4-5 females, only one male should be kept within this group.
- Common Names: Paradise fish, Paradise-fish, Paradisefish, or Paradise gourami
- Scientific Name: Macropodus opercularis
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Lifespan: 6-8 years
- Size: 2.4 inches
- Care level: Beginner
16. Clown Triggerfish (Balistidae conspicillum)
The Clown Triggerfish is a very popular saltwater fish, with striking colors and patterns that make instantly recognizable.
Don’t let their beauty fool you, as they are extremely aggressive and territorial fish.
This means that you will need a large tank of at least 120 gallons, and thorough research on which tank mates to place them with.
- Common Names:Clown triggerfish, Clown trigger, Baliste clown, Big-spotted triggerfish, Big white-spotted triggerfish
- Family: Balistidae conspicillum
- Lifespan: 8+ years
- Size: Up to 19 inches
- Care level: Easy
17. Betta fish (Betta splendens)
Betta Fish are very pretty fish that are available in many variety of colors and patterns.
They are a great addition to any aquarium and can be kept with other fish that are of similar size and temperament.
Males should be kept in separate tanks from females, however, as they can be quite aggressive with one another.
- Common Names: Betta Fish, Siamese Fighting Fish
- Scientific Name: Betta splendens
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Lifespan: 2-5 years
- Size: 2.5-3 inches
- Care level: Beginner
The Most Beautiful Fish For Aquarium Conclusion
If you are looking for the perfect fish to place in your aquarium, then this article will help you find the most beautiful fish that is just right for your tank.
You can have a colorful and diverse underwater world with these suggestions. The best part about these choices is that most of them are easy to care for!
Do you keep any of the fish featured on this list? If you do, let us know in the comments section below.
