Many people get into diving to experience the vast array of underwater life, from corals to crustaceans, to exotic and colorful fish swimming just an arm’s length away in all their vibrant glory. In fact, for many divers, some of their most memorable moments revolve around the marine species they have experienced firsthand. While there is a multitude of multicolored marine creatures to see, it’s hard to beat the species that display all the colors of the rainbow. Here are just five marine species that display the full color spectrum of the underwater world.
Rainbow Reef
Any divers familiar with the islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu in Fiji will already know about the Rainbow Reef and its colorful coral species that lend color and beauty to their underwater world. Corals here exist in nearly every color of the rainbow.
Rainbowfish
Too easy? These fish have gone by many names, but rainbowfish may be the most descriptive and accurate, if you’re seeing them in all their glory in their natural habitat in the waters off Australia and New Guinea. About a dozen varieties exist, but some are more brilliantly colored than others.
Rainbow Parrotfish
At home in the waters off the coast of Bermuda, rainbow parrotfish have an almost cartoonish quality, thanks to their beak-like mouths and exotic colors. They can be quite large — around four feet in length — unlike many rainbow-colored marine species, which tend to be smaller.
Elegant Firefish
These tend to display several colors, usually red, yellow, black, purple, and orange. They are often found in the West Pacific near Samoa, but also New Caledonia and Ryukyu Islands as well. Although tiny, the firefish are known for their ability to leap from the water.
Peacock Mantis Shrimp
This colorful crustacean is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and often lives near the base of coral reefs. Because they are small burrowing shrimp, they may not always be easy to spot, but their colors can be amazing and include green and orange legs along with leopard-like spots.
