You may wonder why tropical fishes and those living near coral reef are so colorful and beautiful, while fishes in other regions appear to be plain and boring. They were created to be colorful for several reasons. Paradoxically, bright colors can provide excellent camouflage in coral reef environments. The reefs themselves are often vibrant and colorful, and therefore fish with bold patterns and hues can blend in more effectively. In addition, bright colors help fish communicate with others of their species for mating, territory defense, and social interactions. However, some fish use bright colors to warn predators of their toxicity or unpalatability. So, if you are there, don't touch any fish!