Most Unique and Rare Saltwater Aquarium Fish

Colin's Angelfish (Paracentropyge colini)

Originating from the Western and South Pacific, these vibrant beauties have a distinctive yellow body with blue to black on the head and anterior dorsal fin. They prefer darker marine environments and will nip at corals, preferring to graze on macro-algae as their main diet.

These fish can be very shy, so it is important to introduce them to the aquarium before adding more aggressive fish. The Colin's Angelfish is rare due to its deep water habitat, making it easier to hide from capture.

Flashlight Fish (Anomalops katoptron)

Also known as the Two-fin Flashlight Fish or Lantern Fish, these dark fish have a unique light-colored skin patch under each eye, containing bioluminescent bacteria. This symbiosis creates a glow-in-the-dark appearance in dim light. The fish are able to blink this light on and off, providing communication between schoolmates, the ability to distract predators and to lure zooplankton snacks.

Adapted to nocturnal living, these fish are well suited to other night dwellers, such as Pinecone fish, Squirrel fish and Cardinal fish. Nocturnal aquariums require low lighting and lots of hiding places. Flashlight fish will do well in groups and are overall peaceful fish. These fish are rare due to their keen ability to hide in the dark. They are not bred in captivity at this time.

Yellow Multibanded Pipefish (Doryhamphus pessuliferus)

Syngnathids, including seahorses and pipefish, in general, can be a challenge for any fish-keeper. These fish are sticklers for good water quality and can have severe picky-eating disorders. Many will fall ill to Mycobacterium spp. infections secondary to being weak upon arrival at their new homes.

Brightly colored in bands of yellow and deep red rings around their body, the Yellow Multibanded Pipefish makes a vibrant addition to a peaceful marine community. They prefer to be kept in male-female pairs or in a group. They will not do well with aggressive fish of any variety and cannot coexist with stinging anemones or soft corals.

Fingered Dragonet (Dactylopus dactylopus)

A rare bottom-dwelling addition to any reef tank, the Fingered Dragonet is a modest fish with a dramatic dorsal fin. Similar to the Scooter Blenny, and otherwise known as the Mother Sailfin Dragonet, the Fingered Dragonet is accentuated with bright blue spots around their head and anal fin.

Like other blennies, the Fingered Dragonet likes to burrow in sandy substrate and eat tiny live foods, such as mysis, within live rock. The addition of a refugium will allow you to grow additional foods to have readily available for your fish. You can keep more than one of these in an aquarium, but be sure to add them all at once so there is no competition for the best burrows and feeding spots.

The Fingered Dragonet is rare since it is hard to find amongst the reef and is a very picky eater in captivity.

Peppermint Angelfish (Paracentropyge boylei)

Angelfish are very common in marine aquariums, but the Peppermint Angelfish is an exceptionally rare variety. These brightly colored white and red banded fish are highly elusive in a reef and as of March 2019, only one was available for public display at the Waikiki Aquarium.

At a maximum length of 2.5 inches, it is said this is the most expensive reef fish per inch! If you are lucky enough to bring one of these fish home, they require a large aquarium of at least 125 gallons and are fed like other marine angelfish.