Unique Aquatic Creatures: Rare but Attractive Aquarium Pets

Are you looking for unique aquatic pets? Many people are always looking for bizarre objects or rare things on their possession to be different from the usual and common. If most people like colorful fish for their tanks, well, others want something weird and rare.

Here are some of the weirdest and freakiest aquatic pets for your aquarium. Just a precaution; some of these sea creatures are venomous so be very careful in dealing with them.

1. Lacy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias aphanes)

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This unique fish occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 25 cm in length. And like other scorpionfish, it is not reef safe with shrimps and small fish though the level of care is moderate. It's a species from the Western Pacific.

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2. Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus)

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Taenianotus triacanthus is a species of marine fish which is commonly known as Leaf Scorpionfish or Paperfish. Like most scorpionfish species it has many color variants as shown below.

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It should not be put in a tank with shrimp or small fish. Leaf Scorpionfish is one of the deadliest fish in the ocean because it is extremely toxic. Extra care should be observed in dealing with this aquarium fish.

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3. Dragonfaced Pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus)

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This species called Dragon Faced Pipefish is from the Indo-Pacific region. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade where it is commonly grows to a size of 19.8 cm in length. It is reef safe though the care level is difficult.

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4. Tassled Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala)

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The care level of the odd-looking Tassled Scorpionfish as aquarium pet is difficult and not advisable for beginners. It is a carnivorous fish with venomous spines that lives in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It can reach a maximum length of 36 cm and can vary considerably in color. Adults are bearded with a number of tassles below the jaw.

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5. Ambon Scorpionfish (Pteroidichthys amboinensis)

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If you plan to purchase an Ambon Scorpionfish for your aquarium, it is not reef safe with shrimps or small fish. This unusual aquarium fish is endemic to the Indo-Pacific regions. It is shaggy and can change its color for the ideal camouflage. The level of care is moderate.

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The Ambon scorpionfish lives just offshore on the bottom of the ocean. It is an ambush predator and will camouflage itself, wait for some prey to come close and then lunge forward and devour the prey.

6. Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa)

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As aquarium fish, the Weedy Scorpionfish is not reef safe with shrimps and small fish. Level of care is moderate. Weedy Scorpionfish are highly sought after by aquarists who collect rare and unusual species. This peculiar fish is also known as the Popeyed Scorpionfish. It is a carnivorous fish with venomous spines that lives in the Indo-Pacific region.

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It has no commercial value for fisheries, but commands a high price in the aquarium trade. It is mostly exported to Japan where it fetches a very high price.

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It can reach a maximum length of 23 cm or 9 inches and can vary considerably in color as well as appendages depending on its environment. It is nocturnal ambush hunters, using its camouflage to prey on unsuspecting fish and invertebrates. They rarely swim, but rather move along the bottom propelling themselves with their fins.

7. Warty Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)

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This unusual creature that is endemic to the Indo-West Pacific region occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 15cm in length.

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This picture of a Warty Frogfish is taken on Mandarin Valley dive site in Kapalai, Borneo.

8. Longlure Frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus)

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The unique Longlure Frogfish comes in different colors and can be found in Western Atlantic from Bermuda and the Bahamas, south along the coasts of Central and South America to Brazil. It is not reef safe and the level of care is difficult.

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Like other frogfish, it uses its stalked pectoral fins and its pelvic fins to slowly "walk" across the bottom.

9. A. Pink Frogfish (Antennarius ocellatus)

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Although the Pink Frogfish from East Timor looks lovely as aquarium pet, it is not reef safe. This individual is camouflaged on the purple sponge that it sits on.

9. B. Ocellated Frogfish (Antennarius ocellatus)

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Like all other frogfish, the Ocellated Frogfish of the western Atlantic including the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea is not reef safe. Its length is up to 38 cm. The care level of this aquatic pet is intermediate.

10. Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus)

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Painted Frogfish comes in different color variants like other frogfish. It is not reef safe and the level of care is difficult.

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Hope you enjoyed this. Thank you!

For more exotic/colorful pets see

Pretty Aquatic Pets: 10 Most Beautiful Shrimps

Bizarre and Exotic Pets: Weird and Unique Turtles

Absolutely Freaky and Weird Frogs: Will You Have Them As Pets?

Popular Amphibian Pets: World's Most Beautiful Frogs

30 Most Colorful and Prettiest Pet Birds in the World

Brightly Colored Snails: Beautiful Aquarium Pets

Fantastic and Unique Breeds of Goldfish