Some of the most beautiful fish have dazzling black and red coloring, but there are many other sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from. You may be curious about the existence of red and black fish if you have an interest in fish or marine life.
Many different kinds of fish are brilliantly colored red and black. The overwhelming majority agree that you should! This article discusses 10 red and black fish species, from the most common to the rarest.
Let’s dive into the article.
Are There Any Red and Black Fish?
Red and black are common hues in the world of fish. Black coloring dominates the body of these fish, with red accents on the fins, scales, or stripes.
Aquarists love these fish because of their striking red and black coloring, which sets them apart from other aquarium inhabitants. Some fish species, notably the clownfish, may alter their coloration in reaction to their moods or the conditions they find themselves in.
Some examples of fish with red and black coloring are:
- Red-tailed black shark – Body black, tail red
- Black ruby barb – Red fins with a black body coloration.
- Red-tailed catfish – Characterized by a contrasting red tail and black body
- Red zebra cichlid – Red and black striped body
- Black ruby tetra -Red fins with a black body coloration.
10 Incredible Red and Black Fish
1. Redtail Catfish
| Scientific Name | Phractocephalus hemioliopterus |
| Size | 150 cm |
| Life Span | 15 years |
| Location | Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America. |
| Diet | Fish, crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. |
A fully grown Phractocephalus hemioliopterus can reach a length of around 1.8 meters and a weight of about 80 kilos. But this is extremely rare because most are much smaller. They average a height of 3.3 ft. (1 m) to 4.1 ft. (1 m).
This enormous catfish gets its common name from the striking contrast between its brown back and yellow flanks and its orange-red dorsal fin and caudal fin.
They have a black body, a white belly that extends from the mouth to the tip of their tail, and a huge black head with white whiskers. The anal, pelvic, and dorsal fins are all red.
It has two sets of barbels: one on each side of the lower jaw. The chemical reception cells in their whiskers enable them to detect odors. When threatened, they make a clicking sound to alert others. After depositing eggs, they rely on a third party to do their reproductive work.
2. Black Ruby Barb
| Scientific Name | Pethia nigrofasciata, formerly Puntius nigrofasciatus |
| Size | 5 cm |
| Life Span | Up to 5 years |
| Location | Southeast Asia, specifically Myanmar and Thailand. |
| Diet | Small insects, crustaceans, and plants. |
The juvenile fish is striped vertically in black across a yellowish-gray background. The silvery body in mature, breeding males takes on a deep scarlet hue.
All of the female’s vertical fins are black at their bases. The male has a black dorsal fin, a blackish-red anal fin, and purple pelvic fins. Males are typically shorter than females. However, both sexes can reach a maximum length of 6-8 cm (2-3 inches).
3. Red-tailed Black Shark
| Scientific Name | Epalzeorhynchos bicolor |
| Size | 15 cm |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Location | Rivers and Streams of Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand. |
| Diet | Algae, small crustaceans, and insects. |
It is a type of cyprinid (carp) fish found in freshwater. It’s more closely linked to carp than to any other fish, despite the name.
It is critically endangered in the wild and is only found in Thailand, yet it is trendy in aquariums due to the high value placed on its deep black body and bright red or orange tail. Today, all red-tailed black sharks in the aquarium trade have been produced in captivity.
4. Red Wagtail Plat
| Scientific Name | Xiphophorus maculatus |
| Size | 7-8 cm |
| Life Span | 2-3 years |
| Location | Central America, specifically Mexico and Belize but now introduced in the United States. |
| Diet | Algae, small invertebrates, and fish flakes. |
The red wagtail platy is a sturdy, lively, tranquil freshwater fish. This little beauty is one of the most sought-after aquarium fish because of its small size, attractive coloring, and suitability for hobbyists of all experience levels.
Platy fish come in various hues, allowing you to design a tank that will stand out. Platies vary in size and shape but have a wide range of coloration options. Red wagtails, like many platies, are trapezoid-shaped and orange-red overall, with black fins.
5. Red Phantom Tetra
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon sweglesi |
| Size | 5 cm |
| Life Span | 5 years |
| Location | Amazon basin in South America, particularly in Brazil and Peru. |
| Diet | Small insects, crustaceans, and plant matter. |
Red phantom tetras are bronze in color and have semi-translucent bodies. Their bright red pectoral and dorsal fins inspired the name “redfin.”
There is a black mark on the ventral side of red phantom tetras, just beneath their gill plates, and their eyes are dark black or brown.
Females are drab in appearance, whereas males are vivid. The male red phantom tetra is more streamlined than the female and has a longer dorsal fin.
Juvenile red phantom tetras, under much stress, often stop growing and can even lose their coloration. When the water’s pH is off, the red ghosts can change to a dark shade of gray or black.
6. Red-bellied Piranha
| Scientific Name | Pygocentrus nattereri |
| Size | 20-30 cm |
| Life Span | Up to 10 years |
| Location | Freshwater rivers and lakes of South America, including the Amazon Basin and the Paraguay River. |
| Diet | Fish, insects, crustaceans, and even small mammals or birds. |
Although it is primarily a scavenger, the red-bellied piranha has earned a reputation as a fierce predator. Juveniles are a silvery tint with darker patches, while adult red-bellied piranhas get their name from the scarlet coloration of their bellies.
Specimens of this species have been recorded at weights of 3.9 kg and lengths of 50 cm (20 in), though they rarely grow further than 35 cm (14 in).
The rest of their bodies are often silvery grey with silvery scales. The base of the anal fin is typically black, and sometimes blackish patches are visible beneath the gills.
Red or orange can be seen on the pectoral and pelvic fins. The bellies of females have a somewhat deeper crimson than those of males.
7. Copper Red Oscar
| Scientific Name | Astronotus ocellatus |
| Size | 30-45 cm |
| Life Span | 10-15 years |
| Location | South America, specifically the Amazon River basin. |
| Diet | Small fish, insects, crustaceans, and plant matter. |
A variety of different characters can be found within this species. A variety of hues and designs have been implemented into the various models. The Oscars are pretty territorial. Therefore, putting them in a tank with other fish is not a good idea.
They have no qualms about attacking other fish if they feel their territory has been invaded. The times of day when they are most likely to be mating or eating might also be the most stressful.
They will spend most of their time swimming in the tank’s middle levels. However, they may occasionally forage in the substrate.
During their quest, they may uproot tank decorations like plants, so take precautions to safeguard the aquarium’s contents. The good news is that their aggression can be controlled with a suitable tank setup and companion fish.
Oscar kinds are typically quite tall, sometimes exceeding 30 centimeters. They grow to this size in a relatively short amount of time.
The safest way to store Oscars is typical with others of the same kind. Their need for territory could cause tankmates to fight. Avoid territorial disputes by giving them lots of room to roam.
8. Starfire Red Glofish
| Scientific Name | Gymnocorymbus ternetzi |
| Size | 6-7 cm |
| Life Span | 2-3 years |
| Location | Aquacultured |
| Diet | High-quality flake or pellet food, as well as frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. |
GloFish fluorescent fish are fantastic, brightly colored fish that can liven up any aquarium. They are not colored, injected, or painted; they are born with the color they will always have.
Care for these fish is similar to that of other tropical freshwater fish. Long-Fin Barbs are an excellent addition to a community tank because they swim more slowly than regular barbs.
9. Red Streaked Blenny
| Scientific Name | Cirripectes stigmaticus |
| Size | 10 cm |
| Life Span | 4 years |
| Location | The Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Western and Central Pacific Ocean |
| Diet | Small invertebrates and algae |
Some red-streaked blennies also have bright orange or red patterns in addition to their signature black and white stripes. They are a common sight in saltwater aquariums and provide hours of viewing pleasure.
In addition, they are notorious for the deadly bite they deploy to ward off potential threats. Because of this, they require special care and should not be maintained alongside fish that have smaller mouths.
10. Black Ruby Oranda Goldfish
| Scientific Name | Carassius auratus |
| Size | 20-30 cm |
| Life Span | 10-15 years |
| Location | East Asia |
| Diet | Fish flakes or pellets, such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. |
There are various iterations of the oranda. This diversity often leads people to assume that multiple species are being referred to incorrectly. Scrolling through this piece’s images will give you an idea of the possibilities.
An oranda’s cap (a collection of protrusions on the skull) makes it easy to identify the species. The species is easily identified by its cap, also called a wen. Typically, this doesn’t mature until the child is two years old.
Black, red, black with white dots, blue, black with a grey gradient, red with orange-yellow spots, white, and many more are all colors found in this beautiful Goldfish.
The cap’s size and ‘richness’ are both determined by their standard of living. Its entire head is covered in protrusions, save for the eyes and mouth. Their huge eyes tend to peek out from under the cap just slightly.
Here, we conclude our article on “List of Incredible Red and Black.” We hope you like our post. We will be back with another exciting article. Till then, stay tuned with us.
References:
- Wikipedia
- 18 Fish That Are Red (An Amazing Collection Of Unique Fish Species) by Jaljeev
- BLACK FISH SPECIES – 10 GREAT CHOICES by aquariumstoredepot.com
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A writer who studied agriculture. Nature has always drawn me in, and my main goal in writing about it is to discover some of its secrets. You can usually find me reading Bengali and English masterpieces or filling the room with lovely music if I’m not engrossed in nature or anime material. I adore playing the guitar. I’m also that friend of yours who enjoys playing video games.