Ocean Fish Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables)

By: Papaya Ink Team · Last updated: October 19, 2026

A little over half of all the fish species on Earth live in salt water, and the ocean keeps the strangest designs for itself. Here are real species, each drawn with its name lettered on the sheet: reef fish built like painted shields, sharks shaped by millions of years of open-water hunting, rays that fly over the sand on wide flat wings. Sharks and rays belong here too – they are fish, only with skeletons of flexible cartilage instead of bone. Every animal is drawn true to life rather than as a cartoon, with the fin shapes, spots and stripes a diver would recognize, and a slice of habitat around it: coral, seagrass, sand, or open blue water.

Click any picture and the PDF opens in a new tab, ready to print. The sheets are sized for US Letter and print cleanly on A4, with a white margin built in so nothing gets cut off at the edge. Print a favorite twice – one copy to color, one to practice on – or work through the whole reef one species at a time.

The colors in nature are part of the fun. Reef fish wear high-contrast patterns because they need to be recognized by their own kind in a crowd, so pure, saturated pencils or markers suit them best. Most open-water sharks and rays use countershading instead: dark on top to blend with the deep below, pale underneath to vanish against the bright surface. Lay the dark color first and fade it toward the belly, and the animal suddenly looks rounded. A soft blue wash in the background, lighter toward the top, finishes almost any page.

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Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Every clownfish hatches male. When the female who rules the anemone dies, her mate changes sex and takes her place. Orange body, three white bands with thin black edges, black-rimmed fins - and soft violet tips on the anemone tentacles. — Every clownfish hatches male. When the female who rules the anemone dies, her mate changes sex and takes her place. Orange body, three white bands with thin black edges, black-rimmed fins – and soft violet tips on the anemone tentacles.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Slate gray above, pure white below: the whole color plan of a great white is one ragged line along the flank. From underneath, that pale belly vanishes against the bright surface. The largest reach about twenty feet. — Slate gray above, pure white below: the whole color plan of a great white is one ragged line along the flank. From underneath, that pale belly vanishes against the bright surface. The largest reach about twenty feet.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - By day this ray hides under coral ledges with only the tail sticking out, and the tail gives it away: two bright blue stripes run down it. Color the body a warm sandy olive, then fill every circle with electric blue. — By day this ray hides under coral ledges with only the tail sticking out, and the tail gives it away: two bright blue stripes run down it. Color the body a warm sandy olive, then fill every circle with electric blue.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - A scalpel-sharp spine sits at the base of the tail - blue tangs are surgeonfish, and divers admire them without reaching out. Royal blue body, a black sweep curving around the oval on its side, and a lemon-yellow tail. — A scalpel-sharp spine sits at the base of the tail – blue tangs are surgeonfish, and divers admire them without reaching out. Royal blue body, a black sweep curving around the oval on its side, and a lemon-yellow tail.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Along the US East Coast, cownose rays migrate in schools that can number in the thousands, wingtips almost touching. The notched, fleshy forehead earns the name. Brown to olive on top, pale cream where the wing curls up to show the underside. — Along the US East Coast, cownose rays migrate in schools that can number in the thousands, wingtips almost touching. The notched, fleshy forehead earns the name. Brown to olive on top, pale cream where the wing curls up to show the underside.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Juveniles wear navy with white rings, so unlike their parents that they look like another species entirely. This adult has the grown-up suit: yellow and blue stripes, a dark blue-edged mask, white face, orange tail. Detailed - sharpen the pencils. — Juveniles wear navy with white rings, so unlike their parents that they look like another species entirely. This adult has the grown-up suit: yellow and blue stripes, a dark blue-edged mask, white face, orange tail. Detailed – sharpen the pencils.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - At low tide this shark walks, pushing itself across exposed reef flats on its fins from one pool to the next. The big ringed spot behind the fin is the epaulette: black, with a white rim. Cream body, brown spots everywhere else. — At low tide this shark walks, pushing itself across exposed reef flats on its fins from one pool to the next. The big ringed spot behind the fin is the epaulette: black, with a white rim. Cream body, brown spots everywhere else.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - No two mantas share the same belly spots, so researchers tell individuals apart from photos. The rolled fins beside the mouth unfurl to funnel plankton in. Black back, pale shoulder patches, and a wingspan that can reach twenty-three feet. — No two mantas share the same belly spots, so researchers tell individuals apart from photos. The rolled fins beside the mouth unfurl to funnel plankton in. Black back, pale shoulder patches, and a wingspan that can reach twenty-three feet.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Here the father gives birth: the female lays her eggs in his pouch, and he carries them until the young swim free. Lined seahorses shift color to match their seagrass - orange, yellow, olive or almost black - so any of those is correct. — Here the father gives birth: the female lays her eggs in his pouch, and he carries them until the young swim free. Lined seahorses shift color to match their seagrass – orange, yellow, olive or almost black – so any of those is correct.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Nurse sharks spend the day resting on the sand or under ledges, sometimes piled on top of each other, and hunt at night by sucking prey out of crevices. Plain tawny brown, a shade lighter underneath. Big open shapes, easy to fill. — Nurse sharks spend the day resting on the sand or under ledges, sometimes piled on top of each other, and hunt at night by sucking prey out of crevices. Plain tawny brown, a shade lighter underneath. Big open shapes, easy to fill.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Look for the ringed spot on the forehead - the crown that separates a queen from the look-alike blue angelfish: black, speckled and rimmed with electric blue. Blue edges on the long fins, blue-green scales rimmed in yellow, a bright yellow tail. — Look for the ringed spot on the forehead – the crown that separates a queen from the look-alike blue angelfish: black, speckled and rimmed with electric blue. Blue edges on the long fins, blue-green scales rimmed in yellow, a bright yellow tail.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Native to the Pacific, this fish has spread so widely through the Caribbean and off Florida that divers hold derbies to catch it, and restaurants serve the haul. Maroon and white stripes alternate over body and spines. Detailed. — Native to the Pacific, this fish has spread so widely through the Caribbean and off Florida that divers hold derbies to catch it, and restaurants serve the haul. Maroon and white stripes alternate over body and spines. Detailed.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Scalloped hammerheads gather by the hundreds around seamounts in daylight, then scatter to hunt alone at night. The front of the head dips in the middle and waves along the edge - hence the name. Bronze-gray back, white belly, dusky fin tips. — Scalloped hammerheads gather by the hundreds around seamounts in daylight, then scatter to hunt alone at night. The front of the head dips in the middle and waves along the edge – hence the name. Bronze-gray back, white belly, dusky fin tips.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Despite the shark-like body, a sawfish is a ray. It swings the toothed snout sideways through schools of small fish and pins prey on the sand. Florida waters hold the last stronghold of the species in the US. Olive gray on top, white below. — Despite the shark-like body, a sawfish is a ray. It swings the toothed snout sideways through schools of small fish and pins prey on the sand. Florida waters hold the last stronghold of the species in the US. Olive gray on top, white below.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - At Stingray City in the Cayman Islands, these rays glide right up to visitors standing waist-deep in the sea. In the wild they bury themselves with only the eyes and breathing holes showing. Muddy brown to olive on top, white underneath. — At Stingray City in the Cayman Islands, these rays glide right up to visitors standing waist-deep in the sea. In the wild they bury themselves with only the eyes and breathing holes showing. Muddy brown to olive on top, white underneath.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Eagle rays leap clear of the water, sometimes several in a row, and land with a slap you can hear from a boat. The duckbill snout digs clams out of the sand. Dark navy back with white spots, white below. Detailed - many small circles. — Eagle rays leap clear of the water, sometimes several in a row, and land with a slap you can hear from a boat. The duckbill snout digs clams out of the sand. Dark navy back with white spots, white below. Detailed – many small circles.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Half of a thresher is tail, and the tail works as a whip: the shark lashes it overhead into a school of sardines, then collects the stunned fish. Purple-gray above, fading into white. — Half of a thresher is tail, and the tail works as a whip: the shark lashes it overhead into a school of sardines, then collects the stunned fish. Purple-gray above, fading into white.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Stripes are boldest on young tiger sharks and fade with age, so big adults look almost plain. Few predators are less picky - tin cans have turned up in their stomachs. Blue-gray overall, darker bars across the back, white underside. — Stripes are boldest on young tiger sharks and fade with age, so big adults look almost plain. Few predators are less picky – tin cans have turned up in their stomachs. Blue-gray overall, darker bars across the back, white underside.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Longer than a school bus at full size, the biggest fish alive lives on plankton and fish eggs strained through a mouth up to five feet wide. Dark blue-gray back, rows of white spots and pale stripes, white beneath. Gentle with divers. — Longer than a school bus at full size, the biggest fish alive lives on plankton and fish eggs strained through a mouth up to five feet wide. Dark blue-gray back, rows of white spots and pale stripes, white beneath. Gentle with divers.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Young zebra sharks are striped, which gave the species its name; adults swap the stripes for spots. One female in an Australian aquarium had pups years after she was last kept with a male. Sandy tan, dark brown spots, ridges along the back. — Young zebra sharks are striped, which gave the species its name; adults swap the stripes for spots. One female in an Australian aquarium had pups years after she was last kept with a male. Sandy tan, dark brown spots, ridges along the back.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Only a few bluehead wrasses ever earn the blue head. Most start life as yellow females, and the big males that wear these colors changed sex on the way up. Blue head, a black-white-black collar, green from there to the tail. — Only a few bluehead wrasses ever earn the blue head. Most start life as yellow females, and the big males that wear these colors changed sex on the way up. Blue head, a black-white-black collar, green from there to the tail.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Horn-free as juveniles, unicornfish grow the bony forehead spike only as they mature. The name comes from the two blue blades at the base of the tail. Olive gray overall, with the blades and fin edges bright blue. — Horn-free as juveniles, unicornfish grow the bony forehead spike only as they mature. The name comes from the two blue blades at the base of the tail. Olive gray overall, with the blades and fin edges bright blue.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Herds of bumpheads break coral with their foreheads and beaks, and one adult can turn several tons of reef into fine white sand in a year. Dull green-gray body, a pale pinkish face, and a creamy white beak. — Herds of bumpheads break coral with their foreheads and beaks, and one adult can turn several tons of reef into fine white sand in a year. Dull green-gray body, a pale pinkish face, and a creamy white beak.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Customers queue at its cleaning station - groupers, moray eels, even sharks - and hold still with mouths open while it picks parasites off their teeth. A black stripe runs nose to tail, widening as it goes, with electric blue above and below it. — Customers queue at its cleaning station – groupers, moray eels, even sharks – and hold still with mouths open while it picks parasites off their teeth. A black stripe runs nose to tail, widening as it goes, with electric blue above and below it.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Lock and key: the first dorsal spine stands up and the second wedges it in place, so a triggerfish can jam itself into a crevice. Black overall, big white spots underneath, a yellow net over the back, orange lips. Detailed. — Lock and key: the first dorsal spine stands up and the second wedges it in place, so a triggerfish can jam itself into a crevice. Black overall, big white spots underneath, a yellow net over the back, orange lips. Detailed.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Reef aquarium owners buy this fish for one job - it eats the pest anemones that take over home tanks. The false eye near the tail confuses predators about which way it will flee. Copper-orange bands edged in black, on white. — Reef aquarium owners buy this fish for one job – it eats the pest anemones that take over home tanks. The false eye near the tail confuses predators about which way it will flee. Copper-orange bands edged in black, on white.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Barely four inches long and one of the most wanted fish in the hobby. Fire-engine red fading to orange, dark vertical bars on the sides, and the back edges of the top and bottom fins tipped in purple-blue. — Barely four inches long and one of the most wanted fish in the hobby. Fire-engine red fading to orange, dark vertical bars on the sides, and the back edges of the top and bottom fins tipped in purple-blue.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - French angelfish travel in pairs that stay together for years and chase off intruders side by side. Coal black body, every scale rimmed in gold, a yellow ring around the eye and a yellow patch where each pectoral fin meets the body. — French angelfish travel in pairs that stay together for years and chase off intruders side by side. Coal black body, every scale rimmed in gold, a yellow ring around the eye and a yellow patch where each pectoral fin meets the body.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Able to grow past six feet, this is the largest wrasse in the sea - and one of very few fish that eats crown-of-thorns starfish, which destroy coral. Blue-green body, wavy yellow-green lines across the face, thick fleshy lips. — Able to grow past six feet, this is the largest wrasse in the sea – and one of very few fish that eats crown-of-thorns starfish, which destroy coral. Blue-green body, wavy yellow-green lines across the face, thick fleshy lips.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Two horns in front, two spikes behind, and a rigid shell of fused plates in between: the cowfish swims by fanning its small fins while the body stays stiff. Mustard yellow, with a pale blue spot inside each plate. — Two horns in front, two spikes behind, and a rigid shell of fused plates in between: the cowfish swims by fanning its small fins while the body stays stiff. Mustard yellow, with a pale blue spot inside each plate.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - In Hawaii it goes by a name nearly as long as its snout: lauwiliwilinukunukuoioi. That snout reaches deep into coral cracks for tiny prey. Bright yellow, with a black upper face, white chin, a dark eyespot near the tail. — In Hawaii it goes by a name nearly as long as its snout: lauwiliwilinukunukuoioi. That snout reaches deep into coral cracks for tiny prey. Bright yellow, with a black upper face, white chin, a dark eyespot near the tail.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Mandarinfish come out at dusk, and pairs rise together off the reef to spawn in a brief, slow dance. No scales, just a coat of bitter slime. Swirls of electric blue and orange, with green along the fin edges. Detailed. — Mandarinfish come out at dusk, and pairs rise together off the reef to spawn in a brief, slow dance. No scales, just a coat of bitter slime. Swirls of electric blue and orange, with green along the fin edges. Detailed.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Aquarists call it nearly impossible to keep, so the best place to meet one is a wild Pacific reef. The streamer off the dorsal fin trails like a pennant. Black, white and yellow bands, plus an orange saddle on the snout. — Aquarists call it nearly impossible to keep, so the best place to meet one is a wild Pacific reef. The streamer off the dorsal fin trails like a pennant. Black, white and yellow bands, plus an orange saddle on the snout.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Painted in blocks like a cubist canvas: sandy tan, blue and yellow lines from eye to fin, a black patch with pale stripes low on the flank. It shares a genus with the state fish of Hawaii and grunts when grabbed. — Painted in blocks like a cubist canvas: sandy tan, blue and yellow lines from eye to fin, a black patch with pale stripes low on the flank. It shares a genus with the state fish of Hawaii and grunts when grabbed.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Unlike most butterflyfish, this one does much of its feeding at night. The black mask across the eye, with a white band behind it, is the raccoon part; the rest is golden yellow with thin dark diagonal lines. — Unlike most butterflyfish, this one does much of its feeding at night. The black mask across the eye, with a white band behind it, is the raccoon part; the rest is golden yellow with thin dark diagonal lines.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Folded, the fins look ordinary; raised, they nearly double the height of the fish - a bluff aimed at rivals and predators. Alternate dark brown and pale gold bands, with fine yellow lines running through the fins. Detailed. — Folded, the fins look ordinary; raised, they nearly double the height of the fish – a bluff aimed at rivals and predators. Alternate dark brown and pale gold bands, with fine yellow lines running through the fins. Detailed.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Its armor is triangular in cross-section, and under stress it releases a toxin strong enough to kill other fish sharing an aquarium. White to pale gray, covered in black spots right out to the tail. — Its armor is triangular in cross-section, and under stress it releases a toxin strong enough to kill other fish sharing an aquarium. White to pale gray, covered in black spots right out to the tail.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Before sleeping, a parrotfish blows a cocoon of mucus around itself, likely to hide its scent from hunting moray eels. The name comes from a yellow spot near the gill on the adult male. Green scales, salmon-pink patches, yellow stoplight. — Before sleeping, a parrotfish blows a cocoon of mucus around itself, likely to hide its scent from hunting moray eels. The name comes from a yellow spot near the gill on the adult male. Green scales, salmon-pink patches, yellow stoplight.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Concept cars rarely borrow from fish, but a German carmaker modeled one on this boxy shell for how smoothly it slips through water. Juveniles are lemon yellow with black dots - color it that way and nobody will mistake it for anything else. — Concept cars rarely borrow from fish, but a German carmaker modeled one on this boxy shell for how smoothly it slips through water. Juveniles are lemon yellow with black dots – color it that way and nobody will mistake it for anything else.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Solid lemon from nose to tail by day; at night the color fades and a pale stripe appears along the side. The small white blade at the base of the tail is the only other color. Reefs off Hawaii are full of them. — Solid lemon from nose to tail by day; at night the color fades and a pale stripe appears along the side. The small white blade at the base of the tail is the only other color. Reefs off Hawaii are full of them.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Up to six feet of fish, most of it snout and a body as thin as a broom handle, ending in a long whip that trails from the middle of the tail. Olive brown on top, pale blue speckles along the back, silvery below. — Up to six feet of fish, most of it snout and a body as thin as a broom handle, ending in a long whip that trails from the middle of the tail. Olive brown on top, pale blue speckles along the back, silvery below.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Wild ones live around a single cluster of Indonesian islands and nowhere else. The father holds the eggs in his mouth, then the hatched young, going without food for weeks. Silver base, bold black bars, white dots on dark fins. — Wild ones live around a single cluster of Indonesian islands and nowhere else. The father holds the eggs in his mouth, then the hatched young, going without food for weeks. Silver base, bold black bars, white dots on dark fins.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Firefish hover just above their burrows and flick the tall front spine as a signal. At the first sign of danger they dart back in. White to soft yellow at the head, deepening to fiery red-orange toward the tail. — Firefish hover just above their burrows and flick the tall front spine as a signal. At the first sign of danger they dart back in. White to soft yellow at the head, deepening to fiery red-orange toward the tail.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - The green is a trick: the skin underneath is dark blue-brown, coated in yellow mucus that blends into green. That open mouth is no threat - morays gape to pump water over their gills. One even shade of olive green fits. — The green is a trick: the skin underneath is dark blue-brown, coated in yellow mucus that blends into green. That open mouth is no threat – morays gape to pump water over their gills. One even shade of olive green fits.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Hired as a gardener in home aquariums, it grazes algae off rocks all day, mouthful after mouthful. Perched on its fins, with frilly tufts above the eyes, it looks permanently surprised. Mottled tan and olive, small white spots. — Hired as a gardener in home aquariums, it grazes algae off rocks all day, mouthful after mouthful. Perched on its fins, with frilly tufts above the eyes, it looks permanently surprised. Mottled tan and olive, small white spots.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Pure disguise: the leafy flaps do nothing for swimming. Tiny transparent fins push this South Australian native along, swaying as if it were drifting kelp. Golden olive, green and yellow leaves, thin light bands. Detailed. — Pure disguise: the leafy flaps do nothing for swimming. Tiny transparent fins push this South Australian native along, swaying as if it were drifting kelp. Golden olive, green and yellow leaves, thin light bands. Detailed.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Fishing rod and lure grow from its forehead, and it wiggles the lure at passing fish. When one comes close, the mouth opens and swallows it in a few thousandths of a second. Yellow-orange skin, dark rings with light centers. — Fishing rod and lure grow from its forehead, and it wiggles the lure at passing fish. When one comes close, the mouth opens and swallows it in a few thousandths of a second. Yellow-orange skin, dark rings with light centers.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Dressed for bed in three pieces: a yellow-green face, a broad dark band across the middle, and a back half covered in rust-red polka dots on silver. Big red eyes give it away as a night feeder. — Dressed for bed in three pieces: a yellow-green face, a broad dark band across the middle, and a back half covered in rust-red polka dots on silver. Big red eyes give it away as a night feeder.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Swallowed water turns it into a spiky ball twice its size, and the spines that usually lie flat stand straight out. Fused, beak-like teeth crush crabs and snails. Sandy tan peppered with dark marks, a whitish belly. — Swallowed water turns it into a spiky ball twice its size, and the spines that usually lie flat stand straight out. Fused, beak-like teeth crush crabs and snails. Sandy tan peppered with dark marks, a whitish belly.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Walking comes easier than swimming to this Galapagos fish, so it strolls the sea floor on stiff, leg-like fins. Nobody is sure why the lips are lipstick red. Sandy gray-brown on top, white underneath, and the lips, of course, scarlet. — Walking comes easier than swimming to this Galapagos fish, so it strolls the sea floor on stiff, leg-like fins. Nobody is sure why the lips are lipstick red. Sandy gray-brown on top, white underneath, and the lips, of course, scarlet.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Color depends on life stage: juveniles are black, males electric blue with a yellow dorsal fin, and the largest switch to all-yellow females. Pick one stage and color it boldly. The flared nostrils resemble tiny trumpets. — Color depends on life stage: juveniles are black, males electric blue with a yellow dorsal fin, and the largest switch to all-yellow females. Pick one stage and color it boldly. The flared nostrils resemble tiny trumpets.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Violet in front, gold behind, with the border between them drawn as if by hand, and a black dot on the front of the dorsal fin. Under ledges it swims upside down, keeping its belly toward the rock. — Violet in front, gold behind, with the border between them drawn as if by hand, and a black dot on the front of the dorsal fin. Under ledges it swims upside down, keeping its belly toward the rock.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Instead of fangs it has blunt, rounded teeth for cracking crabs and shrimp, which makes it one of the calmer morays. Cream ground, black branching blotches, and yellow centers inside many of them. — Instead of fangs it has blunt, rounded teeth for cracking crabs and shrimp, which makes it one of the calmer morays. Cream ground, black branching blotches, and yellow centers inside many of them.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Males and females barely look related. Females are dark brown to black with white spots all over, like this one; males keep a spotted back but turn electric blue on the sides, with gold flecks. — Males and females barely look related. Females are dark brown to black with white spots all over, like this one; males keep a spotted back but turn electric blue on the sides, with gold flecks.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Tallest on the young, the front dorsal fin can stretch almost as long as the body, then shrinks with age. Black and white stripes along the flanks, white dots on black fins. Detailed - stripes and dots everywhere. — Tallest on the young, the front dorsal fin can stretch almost as long as the body, then shrinks with age. Black and white stripes along the flanks, white dots on black fins. Detailed – stripes and dots everywhere.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Colonies of hundreds or thousands sway in the current with their tails anchored in burrows, catching drifting plankton. Swim closer and the whole garden sinks into the sand. Creamy white, densely dotted with black. — Colonies of hundreds or thousands sway in the current with their tails anchored in burrows, catching drifting plankton. Swim closer and the whole garden sinks into the sand. Creamy white, densely dotted with black.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Sneaking up on prey is its specialty: it shadows a parrotfish or grouper, swimming tight against its side, and strikes small fish that never noticed it. Often reddish brown with pale lines; a golden-yellow form exists too. — Sneaking up on prey is its specialty: it shadows a parrotfish or grouper, swimming tight against its side, and strikes small fish that never noticed it. Often reddish brown with pale lines; a golden-yellow form exists too.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Predators avoid this toxic puffer, so a harmless filefish has evolved to copy it saddle for saddle. White body with brown-black saddles, a yellow-orange tail, and brown freckles on the cheeks. — Predators avoid this toxic puffer, so a harmless filefish has evolved to copy it saddle for saddle. White body with brown-black saddles, a yellow-orange tail, and brown freckles on the cheeks.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Weedy seadragons are the plainer cousins of the leafy kind, yet their colors are bolder: a red body with yellow spots and violet-blue bars across the chest. As with seahorses, the father carries the eggs, glued under his tail. — Weedy seadragons are the plainer cousins of the leafy kind, yet their colors are bolder: a red body with yellow spots and violet-blue bars across the chest. As with seahorses, the father carries the eggs, glued under his tail.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Roommates share this burrow: a pistol shrimp digs it, though it can barely see. The shrimp keeps one antenna touching the goby, and a flick of the goby's tail sends both diving inside. Bright yellow with small pale blue spots. — Roommates share this burrow: a pistol shrimp digs it, though it can barely see. The shrimp keeps one antenna touching the goby, and a flick of the goby's tail sends both diving inside. Bright yellow with small pale blue spots.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Females outweigh males several times over, and every giant past a thousand pounds has been female. When a marlin gets excited, light blue stripes flash on along its flanks. Cobalt along the top, silver-white beneath, a dusky bill. — Females outweigh males several times over, and every giant past a thousand pounds has been female. When a marlin gets excited, light blue stripes flash on along its flanks. Cobalt along the top, silver-white beneath, a dusky bill.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Warm-blooded in a way few others are, the bluefin keeps its muscles well above the temperature of the ocean around it, which lets it cross the Atlantic and dive into cold depths. Metallic navy on top, silvery below, a row of yellow finlets. — Warm-blooded in a way few others are, the bluefin keeps its muscles well above the temperature of the ocean around it, which lets it cross the Atlantic and dive into cold depths. Metallic navy on top, silvery below, a row of yellow finlets.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Cod paid for whole New England towns, and a carved wooden cod still hangs in the Massachusetts State House. The chin barbel helps it find food on murky bottoms. Olive to reddish brown with darker freckles and a pale lateral line. — Cod paid for whole New England towns, and a carved wooden cod still hangs in the Massachusetts State House. The chin barbel helps it find food on murky bottoms. Olive to reddish brown with darker freckles and a pale lateral line.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Chased by a hungry mahi-mahi, it bursts out of the water, spreads its fins and glides - sometimes farther than a football field, beating its tail on the surface to stretch the flight. Midnight blue with a silver underside and smoky see-through wings. — Chased by a hungry mahi-mahi, it bursts out of the water, spreads its fins and glides – sometimes farther than a football field, beating its tail on the surface to stretch the flight. Midnight blue with a silver underside and smoky see-through wings.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Hatched upright and symmetrical, a young halibut slowly watches one eye travel over the top of its head, then settles on its side for good. Largest of the flatfish. Olive-brown on the eyed side, white on the hidden one. — Hatched upright and symmetrical, a young halibut slowly watches one eye travel over the top of its head, then settles on its side for good. Largest of the flatfish. Olive-brown on the eyed side, white on the hidden one.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Herring schools can stretch for miles, and at night herring may keep track of each other by releasing bubbles from their rear ends - researchers named the sound the Fast Repetitive Tick. Steel-blue shading to bright silver. — Herring schools can stretch for miles, and at night herring may keep track of each other by releasing bubbles from their rear ends – researchers named the sound the Fast Repetitive Tick. Steel-blue shading to bright silver.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - With no swim bladder to keep it afloat, a mackerel swims nonstop its whole life. Wavy dark bars over a blue-green back are the classic pattern; below them the sides turn silver with a faint rainbow sheen. — With no swim bladder to keep it afloat, a mackerel swims nonstop its whole life. Wavy dark bars over a blue-green back are the classic pattern; below them the sides turn silver with a faint rainbow sheen.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Anglers on the California coast call it sculpin and handle it with care - the fin spines carry venom that stings for hours. Mottled red-brown and olive with darker blotches, whitish underneath. Detailed. — Anglers on the California coast call it sculpin and handle it with care – the fin spines carry venom that stings for hours. Mottled red-brown and olive with darker blotches, whitish underneath. Detailed.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Sea urchins devour kelp, and big sheephead crunch urchins, spines and all, with their buck teeth - which makes them guardians of the kelp forest. Males have a black head and tail, a pinkish-red middle and a white chin. — Sea urchins devour kelp, and big sheephead crunch urchins, spines and all, with their buck teeth – which makes them guardians of the kelp forest. Males have a black head and tail, a pinkish-red middle and a white chin.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - California's official state marine fish, and fishing for it is banned. Males tend a nest of red algae and make loud thumping sounds to invite females in. One color does the job: vivid orange, the brightest thing in the kelp. — California's official state marine fish, and fishing for it is banned. Males tend a nest of red algae and make loud thumping sounds to invite females in. One color does the job: vivid orange, the brightest thing in the kelp.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Barracuda are curious rather than hostile, often trailing divers at a distance just to watch. They hunt by sight, so anything shiny catches their attention. Steel gray topside, shining silver on the flanks, dusky bars and scattered black spots near the tail. — Barracuda are curious rather than hostile, often trailing divers at a distance just to watch. They hunt by sight, so anything shiny catches their attention. Steel gray topside, shining silver on the flanks, dusky bars and scattered black spots near the tail.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Thumbprint and pinstripe: a dark blotch above the side fin and a black line along the flank tell haddock from cod at a glance. Purplish gray fading to a white belly. In Scotland, fish and chips usually means haddock. — Thumbprint and pinstripe: a dark blotch above the side fin and a black line along the flank tell haddock from cod at a glance. Purplish gray fading to a white belly. In Scotland, fish and chips usually means haddock.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Down where sunlight never reaches, the tip of this lure glows with light made by bacteria living inside it. Prey swims toward the light and straight into the jaws. Color the body black or deep chocolate brown and leave the lure bright. — Down where sunlight never reaches, the tip of this lure glows with light made by bacteria living inside it. Prey swims toward the light and straight into the jaws. Color the body black or deep chocolate brown and leave the lure bright.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Tilted head-down, it probes the sea floor with a long tube of a snout and sucks up tiny crustaceans. The tall spine on its back gives the species its name. Pinkish red above, fading to silver. — Tilted head-down, it probes the sea floor with a long tube of a snout and sucks up tiny crustaceans. The tall spine on its back gives the species its name. Pinkish red above, fading to silver.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Also sold as dolphinfish, though it has nothing to do with dolphins. Alive it glows gold, green and blue, but the colors fade within minutes once it leaves the water. Gold belly, green-blue back, blue spots. — Also sold as dolphinfish, though it has nothing to do with dolphins. Alive it glows gold, green and blue, but the colors fade within minutes once it leaves the water. Gold belly, green-blue back, blue spots.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Among the heaviest bony fish on Earth, it lies flat at the surface to warm up after deep dives and lets seabirds pick parasites off its skin. One female can carry hundreds of millions of eggs. Silvery gray, mottled lighter. — Among the heaviest bony fish on Earth, it lies flat at the surface to warm up after deep dives and lets seabirds pick parasites off its skin. One female can carry hundreds of millions of eggs. Silvery gray, mottled lighter.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Shaped like the ball it is named for, and about as fast. The branched lure on its brow ends in glowing tips. Its mate is tiny by comparison and spends his life searching the dark for her. Coal black with darker spines. — Shaped like the ball it is named for, and about as fast. The branched lure on its brow ends in glowing tips. Its mate is tiny by comparison and spends his life searching the dark for her. Coal black with darker spines.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Packs of sailfish raise their sails to herd sardines into a tight ball, then take turns slashing through with their bills. Often listed as the fastest fish in the sea. Deep blue sail with black spots, bronze-blue body, silver belly. — Packs of sailfish raise their sails to herd sardines into a tight ball, then take turns slashing through with their bills. Often listed as the fastest fish in the sea. Deep blue sail with black spots, bronze-blue body, silver belly.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Heater tissue behind the eyes keeps its brain and eyes warm, so it can see sharply while hunting in cold, lightless water. Adults have no teeth and no scales. Bronze-brown fading to pale gray underneath. — Heater tissue behind the eyes keeps its brain and eyes warm, so it can see sharply while hunting in cold, lightless water. Adults have no teeth and no scales. Bronze-brown fading to pale gray underneath.

Ocean Fish Coloring Pages - Not an eel at all but a wolffish: pairs move into a rocky den together and stay partners for life. Strong jaws crush crabs and urchins. Gray to olive with blackish blotches ringed in pale, and a lumpy face. — Not an eel at all but a wolffish: pairs move into a rocky den together and stay partners for life. Strong jaws crush crabs and urchins. Gray to olive with blackish blotches ringed in pale, and a lumpy face.

Fun Things to Make with These Coloring Pages

Species flash cards – cut each colored sheet down to the animal and its name, glue it to card stock, and write three facts on the back. Shuffle and quiz each other before a trip to the aquarium.
Hanging reef mobile – cut out the colored fish, sharks and rays, back them with card stock, and hang them from a driftwood branch or embroidery hoop on fishing line at different heights so they turn in the air.
Salt-texture ocean – paint the background with watercolor, sprinkle coarse salt on the wet paint, and brush it off when dry. The salt leaves pale crystal speckles that look like light filtering through water.
Shoebox aquarium – paint the inside of a shoebox blue, line the floor with sand or crumpled tan paper, and hang cut-out fish from the lid on thread. Set it on its side for a window into the reef.
Life-size chalk outline – look up the real length of a favorite species and mark it on the driveway or sidewalk with chalk, then set the printed sheet beside it. A whale shark outline takes up a whole street.
Aquarium field journal – punch holes in a stack of colored sheets, tie them together with ribbon, and leave space on each page to note where and when you saw that species alive.
Countershading experiment – color one copy dark on top and pale below, another copy all one shade. Hold both against a light window and a dark floor and compare which one is harder to spot.
Matching memory game – print two copies of several sheets, color both identically, cut them to the same size and play memory, saying each species name aloud when you turn up a pair.

More Coloring Pages

Amphibian Coloring Pages - The red-eyed tree frog is the star of every rainforest poster. By day it sleeps flat on a leaf, lids shut, so a bird sees only green; disturbed, it flashes that red stare and escapes. Leaf-green body, blue and cream flanks, orange feet.

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Reptile Coloring Pages - Australia's most popular export, at least among lizards. The spiky beard under the chin puffs up and turns black when a bearded dragon is annoyed, so leave it pale to keep him calm. Sandy tan with an orange wash, rock in warm gray.

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Insect Coloring Pages - A honey bee makes roughly a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her whole life, so this flower gets her full attention. Amber abdomen with dark brown bands, and a pale fuzzy collar of hair around the thorax.

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Beetle Coloring Pages - Among the longest beetles alive, a big male Hercules can stretch close to seven inches, and much of that is horn. The olive wing covers turn almost black when the air gets humid. Detailed - spotted shell and rough bark.

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