The ocean is home to some of the most majestic creatures that exist on planet Earth.
From impressively colourful fish to iconic ocean-dwellers, these are the ten cutest fish breeds, ranked in order.
Big and small, mammals and marine life, our oceans are a treasure trove of living, with still today so much of it undiscovered.
For those looking to bring some colour and beauty into their lives, read on.
Some facts about the The World Bucket List’s ranking of the cutest fish species in the world
- The seahorse is a distinctive species as it is the male which carries and gives birth to offspring.
- The blue tang fish is also known as the palette surgeonfish.
- The betta fish, while being extremely cute, is also known for its belligerent behaviour, specifically its males.
- Clownfish have the ability to change sex. The process is such that the dominant male will become a female once the dominant male passes away.
- Butterfly fish are known for forming strong bonds and mates for life.
10. Bluefin notho – the colourful fish from Mozambique
Nothobranchius rachovii, or as they’re more commonly referred to, bluefin notho, originate from Mozambique.
They can grow up to 6 cm and are quite colourful in appearance. They boast a red base with dramatic sparks of blue or turquoise, setting them apart from others.
9. Butterflyfish – a group of tropical marine fish
The term ‘butterflyfish’ concerns a collective group of tropical marine fish. They are distinct in their appearance. Their shape is quite iconic, as are their colours which are usually white, black, and yellow.
There are approximately 129 species of butterflyfish, and they are usually found in reefs along the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
Read: The World Bucket List’s rankings of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world
8. Fancy guppy – a colourful common addition to any aquarium
Native to South America, guppies are a small and stunning type of fish seen quite commonly today across the world.
With over 300 variety of guppies worldwide, these tropical freshwater fish are considered one of the cutest fish breeds for their dramatic colourways and peaceful spirits.
7. Rainbow kribensis – a freshwater fish from Nigeria and Cameroon
Rainbow kribs are freshwater fish that call the African countries of Nigeria and Cameroon home. They prefer shallow water and thick vegetation, although they are often coveted by aquarists.
They are small and fast with distinct colours and have unique and engaging characteristics, too.
Read more: The World Bucket List’s alternative take on the most dangerous fish in the world
6. Betta – the Siamese fighting fish
Betta fish, or as they are commonly known, ‘Siamese fighting fish’, are distinguished for their unique appearance.
This freshwater fish calls Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam home, and its image is synonymous with south-east Asia. With a remarkable tail and striking colours, this is undoubtedly one of the cutest fish breeds.
Related: the ten most friendliest animals in the world, ranked
5. Regal angelfish – often known as the ‘royal angelfish’
A mesmerising combination of sunshine yellow and deep purple. Yes, the regal (or royal, as it is often called) angelfish has a handsome appearance that sets it apart from the others.
This marine ray-finned fish is most often found in tropical Indo-Pacific oceans.
4. Mandarinfish – the most magnificent markings
If you’re looking for the cutest fish breeds, you may want to check out the mandarinfish. This little guy boasts some of the most magnificent markings of all sea creatures.
A palette of electric, royal blue with splashes of neon orange and lime green denote this fish, which is native to the Pacific Ocean.
3. Blue tang – our soft spot for Dory
The blue tang fish was thrust into the limelight with the 2003 family-adventure animation, Finding Nemo. One of the lead characters, Dory (forgetful and oh so adorable), was, in fact, a blue tang fish.
The years may have passed, but now when we look at a blue tang fish, it’s hard to see anything but her confused face.
2. Seahorse – what list of cutest fish breeds would be complete without them?
Many people may not know, but seahorses are technically classed as fish. The term ‘seahorse’ refers to any of the 46 species of small marine fish that fall into the genus Hippocampus.
Majestic yet mini in size, it’s fair to say that these just may be one of the cutest fish breeds in our oceans.
1. Clownfish – the star of Finding Nemo
The clownfish fell somewhat low beneath the world’s radar before the Disney Pixar phenomenon that was Finding Nemo. Its star: a clownfish called Marlin that travels across the ocean in pursuit of his lost son. Good quality family fun right there!
If you haven’t seen it already, now’s the time to get first row seats to this flick. You may also see some of the other cutest fish breeds listed here in the film!
NEXT: why not read our list of the cutest snake breeds in the world?
Your questions answered about the cutest fish breeds in the world
If you still have questions, we have you covered! In this section, we’ve compiled some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions and popular questions that have been asked online about this topic.
Which is the cutest fish in the world?
As we have went for on our list of cutest fish breeds, most people find the clownfish to be the cutest fish in the world.
What is considered the prettiest fish?
There is no definitive answer to this, owing to the variety of pretty fish, but some of the commonly referenced fish would be the lionfish, angelfish and the mandarin fish.
What is the friendliest fish breed?
The Batfish, known as the ‘Clown of the Sea’, is regarded as the friendliest fish breed. Another choice could be the betta fish.
Which fish is most playful?
The pufferfish or the gourami fish are regarded as some of the most playful fish.
