Side Note

The aesthetics of tropical fish prove that nature is the best graphic designer

The Smithsonian Institution has a collection of high-resolution photos of Belize’s tropical fish that, if you’re a fan of nature photography and/or appreciate design, will knock your socks off. If you ever wonder why some unexpected combinations of colors or patterns feel like they were meant to go together while others seem a bit “off” somehow, they might offer a hint as to why. Also, these fish have incredible names such as the Spanish Hogfish, Roughhead Blenny, and Royal Gramma, so they’ve got that going for them.

Longfin Damelfish

Longfin Damelfish

Threeline Basslet

Threeline Basslet

Puddingwife Wrasse

Puddingwife Wrasse

Yellowhead Wrasse

Yellowhead Wrasse

Broadstripe Goby

Broadstripe Goby

Caribbean Sharp-Nose Puffer

Caribbean Sharp-Nose Puffer

Spanish Hogfish

Spanish Hogfish

Roughhead Blenny

Roughhead Blenny