Whether scuba diving or simply admiring an aquarium – watching fish swim by is a peaceful and mesmerizing pastime. Although there is an unending variety of fish in the sea, some aquatic beauties can be sold for astronomical prices.
Quite similar to the most expensive cat breeds, these fishy friends get their high prices from various factors including their unique features and rarity.
Get out your fishing nets and sense of wonderment – we’re taking you on a deep dive into the most expensive fish of the world and what makes them so special.
Top Costly Fish Types
While these aquatic creatures are priced higher than your average goldfish, these top luxury fish are a splendid sight to behold. Listed below are the highest-ranking pricey fish, to acquire or farm, in the world:
17. Golden Trout
This is a bit of an unusual one, as the Golden Trout is one of the most expensive fish in the popular Animal Crossing video game! You can exchange this fish for 15,000 bells.
Located in the upper mountain rivers of California, the Golden Trout is quite the catch of the day. This fish is easily identifiable by its coloring, a golden appearance with black dots and red stripes.
Considered a subspecies of the Rainbow Trout, this glimmering fish is often a top pick for fishermen.
16. Zebra Pleco
Also known as Hypancistrus zebra, this species of freshwater catfish originates from the Xingu River in Brazil. It is highly prized by aquarium hobbyists for its distinct black and white striped pattern and relatively small size.
Endangered in the wild, zebra plecos offered for sale are tank-bred. The high demand and limited supply together with their unique appearance, drives up their price.
In general, prices for zebra plecos can range from $200-$500 or more for a single fish, depending on size and quality.
15. Whale Shark
Known as the largest fish in the world, the humble Whale Shark reaches more than 40 feet in length. An endangered species, Whale Sharks are illegal to fish for their meat and fins. This unfortunately makes them highly valuable on the black market.
Tip: If you find yourself in Cancún, be sure to go on an interactive Whale Shark encounter and swim with these gentle giants for an unforgettable experience.
14. Sawfish
The carpenter of the sea, this handy fish has the appearance of a saw-like structure on its snout, edged with various size sharp teeth. The saw fish is not to be confused with the saw shark, which has a different type of saw and replaceable teeth.
While they may be a danger to nearby prey with their terrorizing tool, Sawfish are quite harmless to humans. It is illegal to trade sawfish, since the species is at risk of extinction.
Sawfish can only be sent to aquariums for the purpose of conservation. Unfortunately, there is illegal hunting for their snout, meat, and fins.
13. Bluefin Tuna
While this tasty fish is often found on your ordinary sushi platter, there are quite a few different types of tuna. Found mainly in the Western Pacific Ocean, a single Pacific Bluefin tuna fish can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars in Asia.
However, over-fishing and catching bluefins before they have reached maturity is depleting the species. Minimum catch size limits are needed to protect the Pacific Bluefin.
Japanese tycoon Kiyoshi Kimura paid $3.1m for a bluefin tuna weighing 278kg at an auction in Tokyo’s fish market. He owns the Sushi Zanmai restaurant chain.
The Yellowfin tuna is not currently classed as endangered. This fish species is very important due to its commercial market value. For example, a Barbados tuna fishery is said to make an additional 2 million dollar profit annually thanks to this special fish.
12. Pufferfish
These inflatable fish are equipped with a unique feature, which is the ability to puff up two to three times their size if under threat.
Ready to play food Russian roulette? Pufferfish is an Asian delicacy, also known as fugu, that can cause a fatality if not prepared properly. One portion of this adrenaline-fuelled appetizer can cost around $430, making it one of the most expensive foods in the world.
11. Clarion Angelfish
With shocking orange scales and electric blue trimmings, it’s easy to see why this bright-colored fish has made the list. Acquiring a Clarion Angelfish will set you back approximately $2,500.
These expensive aquarium fish can be found off the western coast of Mexico, Clarion, Clipperton Island, and Baja California.
10. Wrought Iron Butterflyfish
The Wrought Iron Butterflyfish has a metallic appearance embellished with canary yellow fin tips. These glittering specimens tend to swim in groups for safety, forming a sparkling ball of metallic effervescence while they search for food.
Located around islands in southern Japan, this water-breathing animal is priced at around $2,700.
9. Flowerhorn Cichlid
The Flowerhorn cichlid is a popular and unique species in the aquarium trade known for its vibrant colors, distinct hump on the head, and fascinating behavior. This hybrid fish, which originated in Malaysia, is prized for its striking appearance. It is considered to be lucky in Asia.
The most expensive flowerhorn ever sold went for the eye-watering amount of $600,000 in 2009 in Malaysia. However, the top price for this beautiful fish is normally around $5,000.
8. Neptune Grouper
Also known as the Garish Hind or Goldbar Grouper, this is a rare deepwater fish found in the Indo-Pacific. The Neptune Grouper sports vibrant colors of yellow and orange as juveniles and the adults tend to have a pinkish hue with yellow stripes.
This luminous marine fish retails for around $6,000. The high price is due to the fact that they are very hard to catch alive.
7. Golden Basslet
Ranging from $7,000-$8,000 in price, this little golden sea wonder is one of the most expensive saltwater fish in the world. They are hard to find, as they swim in deep waters at around 50 – 80 metres. Their natural habitat is the coral reefs of the Caribbean sea.
If you are fortunate enough to acquire this rare small fish, purchase ocean sea salt for your aquarium to create an optimum environment for your pricey pet.
6. Bladefin Basslet
The Bladefin Basslet fish, also known as Jeboehlkia gladifer, has vivid coloring and is equipped with blade-like dorsal fins. This tropical fish is extremely hard to catch as it is classified as a deep water reef fish and is very small in size.
Measuring around 1.5 inches long, this rare fish swims at a depth of 700 feet and can mainly be found in the Caribbean. The Bladefin Basslet price tag starts around $8,000.
5. Masked Angelfish
Hailing from the tropical waters of Hawaii, the Masked Angelfish is a quirky spectacle. This fish has silvery-blue scales and a stark coloration on its face that looks like a bit a green or black mask.
Masked Angelfish are very hard to catch, only occurring in the deep depths of the ocean. Therefore, these masked marine species can go up to $25,000.
4. Peppermint Angelfish
Holding true to its name, the Peppermint Angelfish is a vibrant red and white striped sea creature. Originating from the tropical waters of the South Pacific Ocean, these bold fish can be found exclusively in the Cook Island archipelago.
Known as the “Holy Grail” of angelfish, these sea creatures are notoriously hard to catch. Prices for this candy-striped fish start around $30,000.
3. Platinum Alligator Gar
Chartering the ocean since the prehistoric age, the Platinum Alligator Gar is a surviving piece of evidence of primitive worlds once lived.
This ocean-dwelling predator has a slender, white body and has a thick layer of ganoid scales covering its body. The price for Platinum Alligator Gars starts around $7,000 but is often sold for up to $40,000. These aquarium fish are in high demand in China and Japan.
2. Freshwater Polka Dot Stingray
The polka dot stingray is a color scheme you definitely won’t expect in open waters, with its white spots. This delightful specimen can be found in the deep, muddy bottom of the Xingu River Basin in Brazil.
Alternative names for this rare species are the Xingu River ray and white-blotched river stingray. There is venom in the stingray’s tail, so try to avoid swimming near them.
This preppy patterned fish can be bought for around $100,000, making it one of the most expensive freshwater pets in the world.
1. Platinum Arowana (Asian Arowana)
A symbol of good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, this captivating fish is also known as a dragon fish. The Asian Arowana has large scales which vary from metallic red to silver in coloration.
Also known as a Dragon Fish, this expensive freshwater fish can be found in Southeast Asia. This fish species price ranges from $300 and has been said to go up to $300 000 due to its rarity.
However, it is illegal to own Asian Arowanas in the United States, as they are on the endangered species list.
Here’s a recap of the most expensive fish in the world:
- Platinum Arowana
- Freshwater Polka Dot Stingray
- Platinum Alligator Gar
- Peppermint Angelfish
- Masked Angelfish
- Bladefin Basslet
- Golden Basslet
- Neptune Grouper
- Flowerhorn Cichlid
- Wrought Iron Butterflyfish
- Clarion Angelfish
- Puffer Fish
- Tuna
- Saw Fish
- Whale Shark
- Zebra Pleco
- Golden Trout
Final Thoughts on the Most Expensive Fish in the World
The most expensive fish in the world holds a coveted space in pet ownership, from exotic pet connoisseurs to fish fanatics.
These sprinkles of live sea confetti are a marvel to behold in action, from zooming about in their coral playgrounds to simply swaying rhythmically in an aquarium.
Whether you’re looking for an expensive fish with historical significance or funky colors – your choice will be sure to make the perfect addition to your aquatic pet family.
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