The Five Most Expensive Types of Fish in the World

1. Platinum Arowana – $430,000

  

The most expensive fish in the world in the Platinum Arowana. People have been known to pay thousands of dollars to purchase one of these beautiful fish that is known not only for its beauty but also its brains. Besides being the most expensive, this fish is also the rarest. So rare, in fact, that one was microchipped before being allowed to sexually mature in order to follow its sexual development. Its beautiful coloring is actually due to a genetic mutation, but that only enhanced its rarity. The most expensive Platinum Arowana every sold was for $430,000. Yes, that’s correct, close to a half million dollars! That’s one expensive fish.

2. Freshwater Polka Dot Stingray – $100,000

You may not have expected a stingray to even be on this list, let alone taking up second place, but this is no ordinary stingray. This unique and stunning stingray can run collector’s over a hundred thousand dollars. The species, also known as a white-blotched river stingray or the Xingu River ray, live in the rocky bottoms of the Brazilian river. Some consider this ray to be the most expensive aquarium fish. Generally dark in color with white spots, this freshwater ray definitely makes a rare addition to any aquarium.

3. Peppermint Angelfish – $30,000

As the name implies, this angelfish is red and white stripped just like the candy. This small fish grows to be about seven centimeters in length, making it a perfect size for aquarium life. However, due to its rarity, collectors pay around thirty-five thousand dollars for just one. In addition to its being rare, divers also find these beautifully colored fish hard to catch as well. They like to hide out in deep spots among tropical coral reefs. These beautiful angelfish, with their red and white stripes, are definitely a prized catch for fish enthusiasts and collectors alike.

4. Masked Angelfish – $30,000

Another angelfish makes the list at number four. The Masked Angelfish, coming in at around twenty thousand dollars, is mostly found around the Hawaiin Islands. As its name implies, this fish seems to be wearing a black mask. Like its sister species, this angelfish also likes hanging out in coral reefs and often has a marbled look. This stunning fish is generally found to be ivory, black, and orange in color, but may their patterns may differ. However, they all wear their mask, hence the name.

5. Bladefin Basslet – $10,000

This cute little fish is typically found in the Caribbean. The reason for its rarity and high price is because it’s so tiny and hard to catch. Because of these factors, the Bladefin Basslet is priced at ten thousand dollars each. This fish is beautifully colored and can be found to vary from white to vivid orange. This inch and half long fish is one of the most sought-after by both collectors and enthusiasts. However, the high price reflects the fact that they are in short supply.

Honorable Mention- Golden Basslet

No list of expensive fish could be complete without including this little guy. The Golden Basslet is considered to be one of the most sought-after fish in the world. Found deep in the sea, and considering how tiny this little guy is, this fish is also one that is tough for divers to catch. This fish has a deep golden brilliance which catches the eye, which is why this breed goes for nine thousand dollars. They may be small in size, but they command a large amount of money.

If you are a fish collector, enthusiast, or just like keeping an aquarium of beautiful fish, these are among the most expensive fish in the world. Of course, it’s not imperative that these rare beauties be a part of every aquarium, because as they say, “there are plenty of fish in the sea!”