"The 20 Most Colorful Fish in the Sea"

Here’s a curated list of **20 of the most colorful fish in the sea**, featuring vibrant species from coral reefs and ocean depths, along with their unique traits and habitats:

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### **1. Mandarin Dragonet** (*Synchiropus splendidus*)
- **Colors**: Electric blue and orange swirls.
- **Habitat**: Pacific reefs near Australia and Indonesia.
- **Fun Fact**: One of the few vertebrates with blue pigment from cellular structures (not light refraction) .

### **2. Emperor Angelfish** (*Pomacanthus imperator*)
- **Colors**: Juveniles have blue-and-white concentric rings; adults display yellow-and-blue stripes with a black "mask."
- **Habitat**: Indian and Pacific Oceans.
- **Unique Trait**: Produces knocking sounds when threatened .

### **3. Flame Angelfish** (*Centropyge loricula*)
- **Colors**: Fiery red-orange body with black vertical stripes and blue-edged fins.
- **Habitat**: Coral reefs in Oceania and Hawaii.
- **Aquarium Note**: Adapts well to captivity .

### **4. Moorish Idol** (*Zanclus cornutus*)
- **Colors**: Black, white, and yellow bands with a trailing dorsal fin.
- **Habitat**: Indo-Pacific coral reefs.
- **Myth**: Named after African Moors who believed it brought happiness .

### **5. Clown Triggerfish** (*Balistoides conspicillum*)
- **Colors**: Black body with white spots, yellow "saddle," and blue accents.
- **Habitat**: Indo-Pacific reefs.
- **Behavior**: Aggressive; known to rearrange aquarium decor .

### **6. Regal Blue Tang** (*Paracanthurus hepatus*)
- **Colors**: Bright blue body with yellow tail (famously "Dory" from *Finding Nemo*).
- **Habitat**: Indo-Pacific reefs.
- **Caution**: Requires large tanks (75+ gallons) .

### **7. Queen Angelfish** (*Holacanthus ciliaris*)
- **Colors**: Blue-green scales with yellow fins and a cobalt-blue crown.
- **Habitat**: Western Atlantic coral reefs.
- **Diet**: Sponges and jellyfish .

### **8. Picasso Triggerfish** (*Rhinecanthus aculeatus*)
- **Colors**: Abstract patterns of blue, yellow, and black resembling modern art.
- **Habitat**: Indo-Pacific.
- **Temperament**: Territorial; may nip divers .

### **9. Candy Basslet** (*Liopropoma carmabi*)
- **Colors**: Lavender and red stripes on an orange body.
- **Habitat**: Caribbean reef caves.
- **Rarity**: One of the Atlantic’s most vivid fish .

### **10. Peacock Mantis Shrimp** (*Odontodactylus scyllarus*)
- **Colors**: Rainbow hues with trinocular vision (sees UV and polarized light).
- **Habitat**: Indo-Pacific crevices.
- **Superpower**: Punches prey at bullet speed .

### **11. Banggai Cardinalfish** (*Pterapogon kauderni*)
- **Colors**: Silver body with black stripes and white spots.
- **Habitat**: Endemic to Indonesia’s Banggai Islands.
- **Status**: Endangered due to overcollection .

### **12. Stoplight Parrotfish** (*Sparisoma viride*)
- **Colors**: Males transition from red-brown to neon blue-green with yellow patches.
- **Habitat**: Atlantic reefs.
- **Role**: Algae grazers; produce sand from digested coral .

### **13. Royal Gramma** (*Gramma loreto*)
- **Colors**: Purple front, golden-yellow rear, with a black eye stripe.
- **Habitat**: Caribbean deep reefs.
- **Temperament**: Peaceful but territorial .

### **14. Coral Beauty Angelfish** (*Centropyge bispinosus*)
- **Colors**: Red-orange body with blue-purple stripes.
- **Habitat**: Pacific reefs from Australia to Africa.
- **Adaptability**: Hardy in aquariums .

### **15. Flasher Wrasse** (*Paracheilinus spp.*)
- **Colors**: Iridescent blues, reds, and yellows; males "flash" colors during courtship.
- **Habitat**: Indian and Pacific Oceans.
- **Nickname**: "Peacock of the sea" .

### **16. Bluefin Notho Killifish** (*Nothobranchius rachovii*)
- **Colors**: Blue fins with red tiger-like stripes.
- **Habitat**: African floodplains.
- **Lifespan**: Short (1–2 years) .

### **17. Pajama Cardinalfish** (*Sphaeramia nematoptera*)
- **Colors**: Polka-dotted body with green-yellow face and orange eyes.
- **Habitat**: Western Pacific.
- **Behavior**: Peaceful schoolers .

### **18. Discus Fish** (*Symphysodon spp.*)
- **Colors**: Vibrant red, blue, green, and gold patterns.
- **Habitat**: Amazon Basin.
- **Care**: Sensitive to water quality .

### **19. Lyretail Anthias** (*Pseudanthias squamipinnis*)
- **Colors**: Pink/purple females; orange-red males with elongated fins.
- **Habitat**: Indo-Pacific reefs.
- **Diet**: Zooplankton .

### **20. Ghost Pipefish** (*Solenostomus spp.*)
- **Colors**: Delicate, translucent bodies with ornate patterns.
- **Habitat**: Indo-Pacific.
- **Trait**: Masters of camouflage .

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**Honorable Mentions**:
- **Humphead Wrasse** (Napoleon Fish)
- **Clownfish** (e.g., Ocellaris)
- **Peacock Cichlid** (freshwater but stunning)