List of Purple Fish

Coastal reefs, mangroves and home aquariums all host a surprising variety of hues, and purple shows up more often than you might expect. Spotting a purple fish while snorkeling or scrolling species lists can reveal interesting stories about habitat, behavior and diet.

There are 20 purple fish, ranging from Betta to Sunrise Dottyback; details (Scientific name,Size (cm),Range) you’ll find below.

Can I keep purple fish in a home aquarium?

Many purple species are suitable for tanks, but needs vary — freshwater Bettas differ from saltwater dottybacks in water chemistry, tank size and diet. Check the Scientific name and Range for each entry below to match habitat and care requirements before buying.

How can I tell similar purple species apart?

Look beyond color: compare Scientific name,Size (cm),Range, fin shapes, and patterning, and consult photos or regional guides. Size and natural range are especially reliable for narrowing down species when hues overlap.

Purple Fish

Images and Descriptions

Orchid Dottyback

A stunning, entirely magenta-purple fish known for its vibrant color and energetic personality. It’s a popular choice for reef aquariums but can be territorial with other small fish, so careful selection of tank mates is advised.

Royal Gramma

An iconic aquarium fish with a vivid purple front half that transitions sharply to a bright yellow rear. It is generally peaceful but will defend its favorite cave, often seen swimming upside-down under ledges.

Purple Tang

This highly sought-after surgeonfish has a deep, velvety violet-purple body and a striking yellow tail. It is an active swimmer that requires a large aquarium with plenty of rockwork for grazing and hiding.

Purple Firefish

A slender, elegant fish with a white to pale yellow head that gradually blends into a brilliant purple and magenta body and tail. It’s a peaceful, timid species perfect for reef tanks, known for its hovering motion.

Bicolor Dottyback

Often mistaken for a Royal Gramma, this fish has a magenta-purple front and a yellow back. It’s a hardy but notoriously aggressive species, best kept in larger tanks with robust tank mates.

Blackcap Basslet

A striking fish with a deep, uniform purple body dramatically contrasted by a jet-black “cap” running from its snout to its dorsal fin. It is a shy, reclusive species ideal for a peaceful deepwater-themed aquarium.

Magenta Dottyback

This species is a solid, breathtaking magenta from head to tail, making it a vibrant addition to any marine tank. It is very hardy but has a semi-aggressive temperament, especially in smaller aquariums.

Purple Queen Anthias

A dazzling reef fish where males are a brilliant fuchsia or purple with a red dorsal spot, while females are yellow. They are active, schooling fish that thrive in groups in large, well-established reef tanks.

Betta

Also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, selectively bred varieties come in an incredible deep, iridescent purple. They are a freshwater favorite, known for their elaborate fins and engaging personalities, but males must be kept alone.

Purple Tilefish

A slender, graceful fish with a beautiful, uniform pastel purple body. In aquariums, this shy species requires a deep sand bed to create burrows and a peaceful environment to thrive and show its best colors.

Discus

Captive-bred strains of this majestic freshwater cichlid are available in stunning solid purple and violet hues. Discus are prized for their unique shape and peaceful nature but require pristine, warm, and soft water conditions.

Flowerhorn Cichlid

This large freshwater cichlid is famous for the prominent hump on its head. Many popular strains feature brilliant magenta and purple coloration mixed with red and black patterns, making each fish unique and highly prized.

Lavender Tang

A subtly beautiful surgeonfish whose brown body is overlaid with a distinct lavender-purple sheen, accented by orange spots on its face. It is an active grazer and one of the more peaceful tang species for a large aquarium.

Spanish Hogfish

A large, active wrasse with a bold color pattern. The front upper portion of its body is a deep blue-purple, which contrasts sharply with the yellow-orange on its lower and rear body. Suitable for large, fish-only systems.

Creolefish

This schooling member of the grouper family has a streamlined body and forked tail. Its color can range from reddish-brown to a lovely dusty purple, often covered in small, iridescent violet spots. They are active, open-water swimmers.

Purple Moscow Guppy

This is a selectively bred freshwater guppy strain where males display a deep, metallic purple over their entire body and fins. Like other guppies, they are hardy, prolific, and excellent for community aquariums.

Purple Platy

A popular and hardy freshwater livebearer, the purple platy is a selectively bred variety with a deep, solid purplish-blue body. It is peaceful and active, making it a perfect, colorful choice for beginner aquarists.

Sunrise Dottyback

This dottyback has a vibrant blue-to-purple body that is dramatically highlighted by a bright yellow stripe running along its back. It is a stunning but territorial fish, best suited for reef tanks with semi-aggressive tank mates.

Bicolor Chromis

This striking damselfish features a deep purplish-blue front half that ends abruptly, giving way to a stark white rear half and tail. It’s a hardy, active, and generally peaceful species, making it a good choice for marine aquariums.

Deepwater Longfin Anthias

A spectacular deepwater fish, the male is adorned with patches of purple, magenta, and yellow. It’s a challenging species to keep, requiring cooler water temperatures and a peaceful, specialized aquarium setup.

Other Colored Fish