Humans always tend to prioritize beauty over any other trait in the world. People are always curious to know the most beautiful women, most beautiful holiday destination, most beautiful flowers or the most beautiful songs in the world. Thankfully, to cater to this bank of curiosity, the planet has been blessed with many beautiful things that exist naturally in our environment. One of these things include the coral reefs across the globe. Unfortunately, not many people get the opportunity to witness the true beauty of this ecosystem and miss out on known about some of the most beautiful sea species. Take a look at the top ten most beautiful sea fishes in the world.
The Rainbow Parrotfish
This species of fish belongs to the Scaridae family and is one of the largest members of this family. The parrotfish grows to a length of more than 3.9 feet and is found mostly near Bermuda in the Caribbean. The scientific name of this fish species is Scarus guacamaia. The vibrant colors of this fish make it one of the most beautiful sea fish in the world. The species has, however, been listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a near threatened creature due to overfishing and habitat loss. The low population of the rainbow parrotfish makes it a very rare sighting.
Moorish Idol
The Moorish Idol is originally known as Zanclus cornutus. It is the sole extant representative of the Zanclidae family of fish species. It is commonly found in tropical lagoons and reefs. The fish gets its name from the Moors of Africa who believed that this fish brought happiness. The Moorish Idol is found extensively in aquariums. However, it is also known to have a short aquarium lifespan and is extremely sensitive.
Mantis Shrimp
Mantis Shrimps are not fish but crustaceans. However, many people refer to them as a fish and hence, they make the list of the top ten most beautiful sea fish. These fish grow only a few inches long but their eye-catching neon colors make them look very attractive. They sport powerful claws that are used to catch their prey. It is believed that big mantis shrimps are capable of breaking through aquarium glass with a mere swing of these claws.
Nudibranch
The Nudibranch is arguably the most vibrantly colored fish living in the sea. This fish sheds its shell after its larval stage. They are often referred to as sea slugs though some sea slug species can be very different from the fish. They live in practically all depths of water and grow up to 24 inches in size. Since this fish doesn't have an outer shell, it uses its striking color and form as a defense mechanism. It takes the color of many sea plants to disguise itself. Some of these fish also use their vibrant color to warn other fish that they might be dangerous and toxic.
Symphysodon
Symphysodon fish are also known as discus fish. They are native to the Amazon basin but their distinctive shape and bright colors make them adaptable to fresh waters too. They are also known as pompadour fish. Like all other Pterophyllum fish species, this fish also has a laterally compressed body but is more rounded that other fish of the same family. It grows to a length of only eight to ten inches. The pompadours are frequently seen in shades of red, green, blue and brown.
Clown Trigger Fish
The Clown Trigger Fish is extensively found in the Indo-Pacific region and it a typical tropical fish. It gets it name because of its painted face, similar to that of a clown. It is the most popular member of the trigger family of fish and is often considered among the world's most beautiful fish because of its striking looks and color. This fish speicies is found in shades of white, yellow and orange. It grows to about 50 cm in length and has a stock appearance.
The Clownfish
If you're a "Finding Nemo" fan, you definitely know what a clownfish looks like. Disney must be given credit for popularizing this fish species. Though many people live under the misconception that the fish exists only in shades of white and orange, this fish is actually available in many different colors. They can be bought at just about any fish store and are often used to brighten up aquariums. The most striking feature of this species is that it can change its gender. So don't be surprised to find your tank of female clownfish turn into a male clownfish army the next morning!The largest of this type of fish grows to about 7.1 inches while the smallest measures about 3.9 inches. They are found mainly in the Indian and Pacific oceans.
The Lionfish
Along with being the most beautiful sea fish, the lionfish is also one of the most deadliest fish species. It has a strong venom. Its distinctive appearance is what sets it apart from other fishes. The fish has strips like a lion and exists in shades of white, brown, black, red and maroon. It is commonly known as the Fire fish and petrois. It can grow to about 18 inches and is found mostly in the Atlantic waters. They live for approximately 15 years and scientists have found that they have a very complex mating behavior.
Juvenile Emperor Angelfish
Very few fish can compare to the angelfish in terms of its beauty. Its striking color with neon yellow and blue stripes makes it one of the most beautiful sea fish species. They are found extensively in the Pacific and Indian oceans. They grow to a length of 15.75 inches. It is believed that it takes approximately 30 months for a young emperor angelfish to acquire its adult coloring. Experts recommend that young fish of this type should not be kept in aquariums since then they don't develop their full adult coloring under acquarium conditions.
Mandarin Fish
The Mandarin Fish is arguably the most colorful and most peaceful fish species in the world. It is native to the Pacific waters and grows to a very small size. While other fish come in a combination of two or three shades, this fish is available in a variety of vibrant color combinations. However, owing to being extremely sensitive, they are not found in aquariums regularly. This fish is one of the only two vertebrate species known to have blue coloring due to cellular pigment.
