22 Stunning Sea Creatures with Beautiful Examples of Biodiversity

World's Most Beautiful Fish

If there is one distinct example of biodiversity, it is the varied species of fish because of the innumerable shapes, colors and sizes. These splendid creatures comes in stunning looks and unique features that makes them stand out from the rest. If you are a fish lover, this tiny swimmers will surely bring you delight.

Trigger Fish

Largely found in the Indo-Pacific, the Trigger Fish seek shelter at coastal areas or in coral reefs. It has an oval-shaped body and a large head with a small yet powerful mouth used to crush shells. Unlike other fish that are known for having short-term memory, the Trigger Fish is intelligent and can even learn from past experiences. It feeds mostly on sea urchins, mollusks and crustaceans, although some species eat smaller fish, plankton or algae.

Lined Butterflyfish

The Lined Butterflyfish is one of the largest of its species and occupies the Red Sea all the way to South Africa. It has a spectacular mix of white, yellow and black shades, with series of vertical lines across its body. It can grow to up to 12 inches long and eats mostly invertebrates, algae and coral polyps.

Regal Tang

Best known for its beautiful black and blue colors, the Regal Tang is complemented by a yellow tail. This fish can grow up to 12 inches long and features small scales and a pointy nose. Older Regal Tangs feed on algae, but the youngs feed mostly one plankton. This fish emits a a strong odor, making them the perfect bait. They can also be found in aquariums.

French Angelfish

The French Angelfish can be found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean waters. This beautiful sea creature, which can grow up to 15 inches, has a dark colorway accented by yellow stripes. They nourish with sponges as part of their diet. Because of its tasty flesh, French Angelfish are sold in the markets.

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Pufferfish

Next to the golden poison frogs, Putterfish are the world’s second-most poisonous vertebrates. Despite their renowned poison, these fish are considered a delicacy in Japan, China and Korea and are prepared by skilled chefs only who know which parts are safe to eat. Putterfish may be slow but they have very good eyesight. When they need to intimidate their enemies, it fills its stomach with water, making it look voluminous and menacing.

Pseudanthias Taeniatus

This beautiful red and white fish that can be found in the depths of the red Sea ranging between 32 and 164 feet can grow up to 5.1 inches in lenght. Pseudanthias Taeniatus may be small but it is definitely on of the world’s most eye-catching sea creature.

Snakeskin Discus

This popular aquarium fish shows off its distinct blue color over a reddish background. Snakeskin Discus inhabits numerous areas of the Amazon River. Captured Snakeskin Discus requires high maintenance as it only eats certain types of food and only drinks filtered water. The fish prefers a diet of special pellet food, freeze-dried bloodworms and other meaty frozen meals.

Lyretail Anthias

Lyretail Anthias or the Sea Goldie are found beneath the waves of the Indian Ocean. This gorgeous fish is part of the Anthiinae subfamily, and it boasts a beautiful colorway of yellow and orange. It can reach a lenght of 5.9 inches, as it feeds mostly on zoo plankton.

Dwarf Gourami

The Dwarf Gourami has become an aquaria mainstay because of its translucent blue shades and dark orange stripes. Coming from the South Asian countries, the fish was moved to numerous other parts of the world due to its popularity. It feeds on algae and meat and reaches a maximum length of 2 inches.

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Flame Angelfish

Named after its fiery orange-red colorway, the Flame Angelfish is native to the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. It has 5 black vertical lines on its sides as well as black and purple-blue touches on its rear fins. Its diet consists of crustaceans and algae and can reach an age of 7 years or even more.

Blueface Angelfish

The Blueface Angelfish can be found in the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific and displays a spectacular mix of blue, yellow and pale blue shades. Young Blueface Angelfish are distinguished from the adult ones because of their 6 vertical white bars and pale blue lines. This fish lives out its days among the coral reefs of the Maldives, Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Rainbow Parrot Fish

Because of its bird-like beak, this fish has been named Rainbow Parrot and uses that to its advantage by skillfully eating smaller invertebrates found in corals. The fish eats by nibbling on the coral, and spits out the remains once it is finished. Aesthetics-wise, the Rainbow Parrot is colored with blue, green purple and pink shades complemented by yellow spots.

Banggai Cardinalfish

The Banggai Cardinal fish has only one habitat and that is, the Banggai Islands of Indonesia. It is currently an endangered species. With just a length of 3 inches, this fish can be easily recognized by its forked caudal fin, tasseled first dorsal fin and elongated second dorsal fin rays. Its colorway consists of 3 black bars that travers the body and head. The rear fins are noticeably black.

Moorish Idol

Recognized as one of the most beautiful fish swimming on the waters, the Moorish Idol is unfortunately quite difficult to keep on display. With a disk-like shape body as well as stunning combination of white, black and yellow sections. The fish thrives in shallow waters at depths between 9.8 and 590 feet. It feeds on coral polyps, sponges and tunicates.

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Clownfish

Clownfish have varied color combinations depending on the species, the most popular being the one with an orange body and white stripes framed in black. The longest Clownfish can grow to up to 7.1 inches in length.

Mantis Shrimp

The colorful Mantis Shrimp comes in many different colors. However, not much studies are conducted regarding the beautiful creature who tends to shy away from its admirers and hide in holes for long periods of time. It can grow to 12 to 15 inches in length. It has powerful claws that can deliver painful blows if handled unskillfully.

Nudibranch

A nudibranch is actually a mollusk that leaves off its shell after coming out of it. These peculiar creatures come in different shapes, sizes and colors and are often referred to as sea slugs. They feed on sponges, bryozoans or hydroids. Some of them have cannibalistic tendencies. They are found in all waters around the globe, from the icy cold Antarctica to the tropical seas.

Symphysodon

This evenly shaped fish has a height and length that measures about 8 to 1o inches. The Symphsodon has a compressed body but does not have extra fins so it tends to looks rounded than you’d expect. Its sides are also adorned with unique and beautiful patterns in white, green, blue or brown.

Lion Fish

Beautiful yet very poisonous, the Lion Fish lives in the waters of the Indo-Pacific. Also known as Pterois, the Lion Fish flashes colors of white, red, brown or black bands. It also has a set of intimidating fin rays on its back. The Lion Fish stings painfully and its venom could be deadly for humans but it serves as a useful weapon against its natural enemies.

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Clown Trigger Fish

The Clown Trigger Fish features a magnificent array of patterns and colors of white, black ,yellow and light blue. Generally found in subtropical and tropical oceans, particularly in coastal regions and shallow waters, it is one of the most spectacular members of its species. This fish is often 19 inches long and it feeds on crustaceans and mollusks.

Mandarinfish

The Mandarinfish could very well be the most beautiful fish on earth. Known otherwise as the “mandarin dragonet,” this stunner lives in the reefs of the Pacific. It is not easily spotted in the wild, thanks to its 2.6 inches length. It lives on fish eggs, polychaete worms and ostracods. They’re difficult to keep in aquariums because of its strict eating habits.

Juvenile Emperer Angel Fish

Young Emperor Angel Fish belongs to the list of the most beautiful fish in the world. It features a superb colorway of dark blue, white and electric blue bend which are neatly arranged in a circular pattern. It stays that way for four years until the fish reaches maturity. Only then does the adult Emperor Angel Fish develop black shades around its eyes as well as a series of blue and yellow stripes.