Top 5 Best Colorful Freshwater Fish

Everyone knows that coral reef fish are colorful—but they are not the only type of fish to have beautiful colors.

Freshwater environments all around the world are full of brightly colored fish. You can find them in shades of bright red, yellow, blue, green, and even pink.

These colors are not just pretty to look at—many of them serve a practical purpose. Bright colors can be used to attract mates, scare away predators, or blend in with the surrounding environment.

Are you looking to add a pop of color to your tank? Here is a list of 10 of the most colorful freshwater fish, ranked by color.

1. Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Gouramis come in a wide array of colors. The most famous color is blue or powder blue with red or tan stripes. You can also find a flame variety, which has a bright red body and a blue steel head—you can consider it to be an inverse of the blue dwarf’s colors. The honey variety matches the honey gourami’s buttery yellow color.

If you are looking for your first gourami, the dwarf gourami makes a great first pick. It is far less boisterous than other gouramis and can live safely with most nano fish.

• Color: Blue, Powder Blue, Red

• Size: 4 inches (ca. 10 cm)

• Care Level: Easy

2. Congo Tetra

Unlike most tetras from South America, the Congo Tetra comes from the Congo River in Africa. They are rainbow-colored with trailing fins, making them among the most colorful freshwater fish. Males are the most vibrant, while females are dull gray and lack long fins. They are expensive and not ideal for beginners.

• Show best in groups of eight

• Need at least a 40-gallon tank

• Safe for communities but are skittish

• Only keep with small, docile tank mates.

• Color: Rainbow

• Size: 3 inches (ca. 8 cm)

• Care Level: Intermediate

3. Discus

The discus is a large, peaceful schooling cichlid—up to 10 inches long. Known for its disc-shaped body and many vivid color forms:

• Red or Heckel Discus: red, blue, orange, yellow, gold, white

• Pigeon Blood: white body with red spots

• Blue or Brown Discus: blue, brown, yellow, gold, black, white, green

• Green Discus: green/yellow with black bands

They also have various scale patterns: spots, bands, speckles, and stripes. Discus are extremely sensitive and need specific water parameters—not for beginners.

• Color: Red, Blue, Brown, Green

• Size: 8 to 10 inches (ca. 25 cm)

• Care Level: Advanced

4. Killifish

Killifish are some of the brightest freshwater fish available—found in red, blue, yellow, orange, and more. They can be sail-finned, short-finned, or lyretail. There are three types of killifish:

• Annual: from temporary pools—best for experienced keepers

• Semi-annual: from areas with occasional dry seasons

• Non-annual: from permanent water—best for beginners

They do well in heavily planted community aquariums.

• Color: Blue, Red, Yellow with Brown Bands

• Size: 2 to 5 inches (ca. 13 cm)

• Care Level: Easy to Advanced

5. Cardinal Tetra

Cardinal tetras are some of the most radiant nano fish. They are known for red coloration and neon blue stripes—similar to neon tetras, but the red color runs along the entire ventral side. Also found in cream-colored or golden varieties. These peaceful fish are great for community tanks and often shoal with neons.

• Color: Red, Albino, Gold

• Size: 1.5 to 2 inches (ca. 5 cm)

• Care Level: Easy

Final Thoughts

There are so many ways to create a colorful freshwater tank. Any one of these fish will add bright spots of color to your underwater garden—they may even complement the colors of your plants!

Many are community-friendly and will fit in perfectly with other brightly colored fish. But remember—not all of these fish are beginner-friendly. Some are fine for aquarists of any skill level. Others should be saved for when you have more experience.

What is the most colorful freshwater fish you have seen? Thanks for reading!