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Why are fish so colorful?

Batoidea: Batoids, Bony Fishes: Osteichthyes, Butterflyfishes: Chaetodontidae, Cartilaginous Fishes: Chondrichthyes, Damselfishes: Pomacentridae, Elasmobranchs: Elasmobranchii, Fishes, French Polynesia, Laz Ruda, Lazaro Ruda Wildlife Photographer, MARINE LIFE, Mo'orea, Moorea, Pacific Ocean, Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish: Chaetodon ulietensis, Parrotfishes: Scaridae, Rajiformes, Rays and Skates, South Pacific, TheLivingSea.com, Whiptail Stingrays: Dasyatidae, horizontal, marine, ocean, underwater, underwater photo, wide angle

Visual ability and specialization varies among reef fish based on their lifestyle. Colors and patterns provide fish with a means of communication, mate selection, and predator avoidance. Learn more about why are fish so colorful.