12 Blue Fish: Different Blue Aquarium Fish

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Blue fish are unique and special to look at because blue is much less common in nature than other colored fish. In fact, some cultures can't even "see" blue—meaning they can't easily tell blue from green!

This fascinating palette also belongs to some incredible species, as you can see on our list of the top 12 bluefish!

1. Betta

Bettas are very popular mainly because of their ability to live as the only fish in small tanks. However, many people underestimate the size of the tank they need.

Ideally, bettas should live alone without a tank mate, and especially not with other bettas as they can be very aggressive. Their minimum tank size is 10 gallons.

Another reason bettas are so popular is their bright, vivid colors. If bettas aren't well cared for, they can become pale and discolored – then, when they're lived in the right conditions, they lighten up immediately.

The before and after photos of adopting a betta are stunning!

Bettas come in a variety of colors, including steel blue, royal blue, and turquoise blue.

2. Cichlids

Cichlids also come in a wide variety of colors. Some blue varieties include Peacock Cichlid, Electric Blue Ahli, Electric Ram Cichlid, and Electric Blue Acara.

Peacock cichlids come in a variety of colors, including dark blue and vivid blue, with dark stripes running vertically along the fish's body.

Electric blue Ahlis are difficult to distinguish from peacocks as they have similar colors and nice fin shapes (larger swoops on the back). Sometimes electric bluefish have less colorful stripes, but it's usually hard to tell unless you know your fish's genetics.

Electric blue roundworms have light blue scales with yellow, green and orange markings. They are beautiful, almost pastel cichlids in color.

Finally, Electric Ram Cichlids are a dwarf species. They are blue with orange and white markings and red eyes.

Cichlids are not small fish and can grow up to 15 inches (38.1 cm) long. Leave them alone as they are very territorial! Avoid tank mates like small fish, they are likely to be eaten.

These fish need a large tank of at least 125 gallons.

3. Lake Kutub Rainbow Fish

Rainbow fish come in a variety of colors, including the blue-green-white gradient of the Lake Qutub fish.

They can grow up to 4.8 inches (12 cm) and are very social. As schools, they must be kept in a tank with at least six individuals of their kind.

The smallest tank for rainbow fish is 40 gallons, the more fish you keep, the more recommended.

Watching your rainbow fish happily swim and interact with each other is an incredible experience that you will love!

4. Blue Guppies

Blue guppies tend to have different colored bodies, especially the front. They may be silver, green, or various other colors that complement their gorgeous, vibrant blue tail fins.

Guppies are small, easy-care fish that can reach up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long. They like to live with other guppies and are social, active fish.

Males have been known to harass females, so it's a good idea to keep at least two females for every male guppy in your tank.

We recommend a 20 gallon or larger tank, depending on how many guppies you are adopting.

5. Pygmy gourami

Dwarf Gouramis can be bright blue or turquoise with reddish-orange vertical stripes, red or orange with contrasting blue stripes, or plain, beautiful blue.

They are very sociable and like to go to school, which means you need at least six of them per tank. They grow to about 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) long and need at least a 29 gallon tank to keep them active and happy.

6. Royal Blue Tang

Royal Blue Tangs are best known as "Dory" from the Pixar film Finding Nemo. They are blue with black markings and yellow tails and fins.

Unfortunately, these fish are not suitable for aquariums because they cannot be obtained ethically. They are only bred in the wild, never in captivity – which means any fish you buy must have been hand-caught.

Of course, fish are best left in the ocean, where they can live full, natural lives, rather than being caught, sold and kept in tanks.

However, we couldn't resist including these iconic fish on this bluefish list! We can admire them from a distance, even if we can't keep them in aquariums.

7. Yellowtail blue damselfish

Damselfish are not for beginners. They are saltwater fish known for their aggressiveness towards humans! However, the right people will love these unique creatures.

The Yellowtail Blue Damselffish, as the name suggests, is a small blue fish with a yellow tail. Their fins look almost pointy, especially the top fin.

They grow to about 2.75 inches (7 cm) long and only one damselfish should be kept per tank. Their minimum tank size is 20 gallons.

8. Little Angel Pygmy Angelfish / Asfur

Angelfish have a distinctive shape with a triangular body and fins. Cherub Pygmy and Asfur Angelfish are two beautiful blue varieties.

Cherubic pygmies tend to have oval-shaped bodies, dark blue, and bright yellow faces and eyes.

The Asfur Angelfish has a more classic, angular angelfish appearance with yellow and blue stripes. They tend to be dark in complexion and have black eyes.

Angelfish must be kept in schools of six or more in tanks of at least 80 gallons. They may show aggression toward other species, so should only be kept with similarly sized or larger fish to prevent them from eating smaller creatures.

9. Neon Blue Goby

These rare fish are long and slender with shiny blue scales. While gobies are popular, this blue variety can be hard to find.

They grow to only 1.5 centimeters, or just over half an inch! These fish help keep the tank clean by actually cleaning other fish.

They have a symbiotic relationship, with gobies eating parasites that keep the larger fish healthy. Gobies also eat algae.

However, gobies are indeed territorial and should only be kept with similarly sized or larger peaceful fish.

10. Electric blue crayfish

Despite their name, crayfish are not really fish. They are freshwater shellfish that we usually imagine as crimson.

However, crayfish can also be a bright electric blue!

They are very territorial and will eat anything they can get their hands on. However, crayfish are also slow. For this reason, they're less likely to catch fast-moving tank mates – though we still recommend against keeping them together due to the risk.

Crayfish can grow up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) and should be kept in at least a 30 gallon tank.

11. Blue discus

Blue iridescent comes in a variety of colors, including pure blue and blue turquoise with dark or red, almost maze-like patterns.

Discuss grow to about 8.6 inches (21.8 cm) long, so they're no small fish! But they are skinny and don't have much depth on the body.

These social fish must live in groups of 6 or more and be kept in tanks of at least 60 gallons.

12. Shrimp

While shrimp aren't actually fish, we couldn't cross them off this list! They are the perfect addition to most aquariums, especially the blue velvet color.

These shrimp are a lovely bright blue color. They can be kept in groups in a tank, or they can be raised with fish in a colorful tank.

The minimum size for shrimp is 5 gallons, but you should be larger if keeping a lot of shrimp or any tank mates.

Also, be sure to choose docile small tank mates, chances are they won't eat your shrimp!

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