Top 10 Most Beautiful Saltwater Fishes in the world

Saltwater fish are beautiful creatures that have the most amazing colors and markings. Life underwater is immensely diverse and contains many beautiful and unusual creatures. Here are some of the most amazing and beautiful saltwater fishes in the world.



10. Clown Triggerfish - (Balistoides conspicillum)

By H. Zell

Also called as The Bigspotted Triggerfish, Clown Triggerfish is broadly distributed within the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific Ocean. It is most typically seen along outer reef slopes with clear water until 75 m depth.The clown triggerfish is a compact sized fish which gets bigger up to 50 cm. Its body has a stock appearance, oval shape and compressed laterally. Clown Triggerfish is one of the most demanded saltwater fish for aquariums because of its attractive coloration.


9. Maroon Clownfish - (Premnas biaculeatus)

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The maroon clownfish, Premnas biaculeatus, is a species of clownfish that is found in the Indo-Pacific from western Indonesia to Taiwan and the Great Barrier Reef. They are able to develop to approximately 17 cm and while they grow, they become much more aggressive against other clownfish. In the wild, Premnas biaculeatus is strictly connected with the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor. Maroon clownfish are omnivorous and can eat undigested food from their host anemones, and the waste from the clownfish provides nutrients to the sea anemone.


8. Manta Ray - (Cephalopterus manta)

By Steve

Mantas can be found in tropical and sub-tropical waters in most the world's major oceans. They are recognized for their large size, wide heads, triangular pectoral fins, and the horn-shaped cephalic fins situated on both side of their mouths. Mantas move through the water by the wing-like movements of their pectoral fins, which push water backwards. The larger species, Manta birostris could reaches 7 m (23 ft) in width while the smaller species, Manta alfredi, reaches 5.5 m (18 ft). The biggest threat to manta rays is overfishing and because of that in 2011, mantas started to be strictly protected in international waters and included in the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals.


7. Ornate ghost pipefish - (Solenostomus paradoxus)

By Steve Childs

Also known as Harlequin ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, can be found in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean along reef edges prone to strong currents. They reach a maximum length of 12 cm. They vary in color from red or yellow to black and nearly transparent. Solenostomus paradoxus is typically solitary. However, also been noticed in pairs or small groups. Harlequin ghost pipefish is a weak swimmer, moving itself by rapidly fanning its fins. While this technique provides pretty accurate control over body position.


6. Killer Whales - (Orcinus orca)

PD

The Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) is found inhabiting almost all oceans of the world. They have been seen from as far north as the Artic Ocean near pack ice to as far south as the Antarctic Ocean. Although Orcinus orca seems to prefer colder environments, they have also been seen in tropical waters. Killer whales are the largest extant members of the dolphin family. They range from 6 to 8 metres (20 to 26 ft) long and weigh in excess of 6 tonnes. Killer whales have the second-heaviest brains among marine mammals, and can be trained in captivity which makes them often described as intelligent.


5. Blueface Angelfish - (Pomacanthus xanthometopon)

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Commonly called Blueface angelfish or The Yellowface angelfish, Pomacanthus xanthometopon can be found on coral reefs in the eastern part of the tropical Indo-Pacific. It is able to grows up to a maximum length of 38 centimetres and have a laterally compressed body shape. It favours lagoons, external reef slopes and channels at depths down to about 25 metres and is frequently seen among rocks and near caves. The yellowface angelfish commonly lives individually or in pairs and eats on tunicates, sponges, various other encrusting organisms and algae.


4. Lionfish - (Pterois)

By Christian Mehlführer

Also known as lionfish, Pterois is a genus of venomous salt-water fish native to the Indo-Pacific. Pterois is identified by noticeable warning coloration with red, white, creamy, or black bands, flamboyant pectoral fins as well as venomous spiky fin rays. Pterois are categorized into several different species, range from 5 centimetres to 45 centimetres in length. It can live from five to fifteen years and considered one of the most popular aquarium fish.


3. Whale Shark - (Rhincodon typus)

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The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) can be found in all tropical and warm temperate seas excluding the Mediterranean. Whale Shark lifespan is about 70 years. Whale sharks have very large mouths, and as filter feeders, they feed primarily on plankton. The whale shark is the largest noncetacean creature on the planet. The regular size of adult whale sharks is approximated at 9.7 m (31.82 ft) and weigh around 9 tonnes. The whale shark is targeted by commercial fisheries in a number spots where they seasonally aggregate. The population is unclear and the species is regarded as being in danger by the IUCN.


2. Bicolor Parrotfish - (Cetoscarus bicolor)

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Bicolour parrotfish can be found in the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea. The bicolour parrotfish is correlated with coral reefs. It frequently can be found in lagoons as well as seaward reefs at depths between 1 to 30 m. It is actually among the largest parrotfishes, occurring to a length of around 90 cm when mature. Such as plenty of its relatives, it is a sequential hermaphrodite, starting up to be female (the initial stage) after that transforming to male (the terminal stage).


1. Mandarin Fish - (Synchiropus splendidus)

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The mandarinfish is well known in the saltwater aquarium market. Inhabitant to the Pacific, this fish distribution is ranging approximately from the Ryukyu Islands south to Australia. The well-known name of the mandarinfish originates from its incredibly vibrant colouration, evoking the robes of an Imperial Chinese mandarin. Mandarinfish are reef dwellers, preferring protected lagoons and inshore reefs. As they are slow-moving and also relatively common within their range, they are not easily found because of their bottom-feeding behavior and their small size which reaching no more than 6 cm. They feed mainly on tiny crustaceans and other invertebrates.

Top 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in the world

Lakes present some of water's greatest attractive characteristics, from mesmerizing ripples and mirror-like reflections to crystalline clearness. Among the Earth’s naturally occurring features, lakes do the most with the least. And simply because lakes are landlocked bodies of water, they are our planet's experimental mixing pots. They can stew strange chemistry and give rise to anomalous organisms discovered nowhere else on the planet.

Here's our list of 10 of the Most beautiful lakes in the world.
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All the images presented below are in high quality resolution with Creative Commons license.


10. Glarus Kloentalersee, Switzerland

By Patrick Nouhailler

By Ikiwaner

Klöntalersee is a natural lake located in the Canton of Glarus, Switzerland. It has exactly three square-kilometre lake area situated at 848 m altitude. As 1908 it has been intended as a reservoir for electricity production. In summer when it's warm, the water in the lake warms up and provides great temperatures to cool off. Once the sun sets the scenery is lit up with all kinds of stunning colours.


9. Oeschinen lake, Switzerland

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By Chmee2

Oeschinen Lake is located in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. At an elevation of 1,578 metres (5,177 ft), it has a surface area of 1.1147 square kilometres (0.4304 sq mi). Its maximum depth is 56 metres (184 ft). The Oeschinen lake is fed provided by a series of mountain creeks as well as drains underground. Part of it is grabbed for electrical power production and as water supply. The lake tends to be frozen during five months, from December to May.


8. Lake Matheson, New Zealand

By Phil Whitehouse

By Mrogex

Lake Matheson was formed by glaciation ca. 14,000 years ago when the Fox Glacier retreated towards the sea. This left a depression which later filled with water and became Lake Matheson. Positioned near the Fox Glacier in South Westland, New Zealand, Lake Matheson is famous for its reflected views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.


7. Lake Tahoe, United States

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Lake Tahoe was formed about 2 million years ago and is a part of the Lake Tahoe Basin with the modern lake being shaped during the ice ages. Located at elevation of 6,225 ft (1,897 m), in the Sierra Nevada of the United States, it is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. Lake Tahoe is the second-deepest lake in the United States.


6. Peyto Lake, Canada

By chensiyuan

By Christian Abend

Peyto Lake is located in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake is formed in a valley of the Waputik Range, between Caldron Peak, Peyto Peak and Mount Jimmy Simpson, at 1,860 m (6,100 ft) above sea level. During the summer time, an excessive amount of glacial rock flour flow into the lake, and these suspended rock contaminants provide the lake a vibrant, turquoise colour. For the reason of its vibrant colour, pictures of the lake frequently can be found in illustrated books.


5. Five Flower Lake, China

By Chensiyuan

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Five Flower Lake (also referred to as the Wuhua Hai) is one among 118 lakes in Jiuzhaigou Valley Nature Reserve, located within the north of Sichuan, China. The lake is actually the most beautiful lake in the valley which is regarded as one of the wonders of Jiuzhaigou. Five Flower Lake is considered as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world because of its spectacular shades which are triggered by its lake-bottom travertine and colorful algae.


4. Plitvice Lake, Croatia

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By ArjLover

Plitvice Lakes is situated within Plitvice Lakes National Park in the mountainous karst region of central Croatia, at the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This beautiful lakes famous for its lakes arranged in cascades. Currently, 16 lakes can be seen from the surface. These kind of lakes are a result of the confluence of several small rivers and subterranean karst rivers. The lakes are all interconnected and follow the water flow. They are separated by natural dams of travertine, which is deposited by the activity of moss, algae, and bacteria.


3. Laguna Verde, Bolivia

By Ville Miettinen

By Pedro Szekely

Laguna Verde is a salt lake in the southwest of the altiplano of Bolivia. The Laguna Verde includes an area of 1700 ha, and a narrow causeway divides it into two parts. Positioned at 4,300 m (14,100 ft) above sea level, this lake has mineral suspensions of arsenic as well as other minerals which renders colour to the lake waters. The colour may vary from turquoise to dark emerald determined by the disruption caused to sediments in the lake by winds. Freezing winds are a common phenomenon here and lake waters can get temperatures as low as -56 degree C however due to its chemical composition the waters still stays in a liquid state. The Laguna Verde is famous for its spectacular scenery and hot springs.


2. Pangong Tso, Tibet

By Ekabhishek

By Pranayjoshi

Also referred to as Pangong Lake, is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas positioned at approximately 4,350 m (14,270 ft) above sea level. It is actually 134 km (83 mi) long and stretches from India to Tibet. About 60% of the length of the lake is situated in Tibet. The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. Totally it covers 604 km2. Throughout winter time the lake freezes completely.


1. Moraine Lake, Canada

By Mike Boehmer

By Gorgo

Moraine Lake is a glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park, located in Alberta, Canada. Situated within the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of about 6,183 feet (1,885 m), the lake comes with a surface area of 0.5 square kilometres (0.19 sq mi). The lake, being glacially fed, does not reach its crest until middle to late June. Once it is full, it displays an exceptional shade of blue. The colour is as a result of the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis.

Top 10 Most Beautiful Castles With Breathtaking Scenery

Castles represent the architectural glory of a country and the magnificently built castles of European countries not only portray the distinguished civilization of the country but also show the intricate work of art. They are enchanting not only in their history but also architecture and grand exterior. Castles may fill the pages of storybooks but many of these mystical structures still stand today and can be visited across the globe. There are so many breathtaking castles around the world, all exhibit their own architectural style with their own incredible stories and it’s very hard to make this list of the top 10.

You may leave some comments on which ones are your favorite!


10. Hohenzollern Castle, Germany

By A. Kniesel

By Sven Scharr

By Rainer Zenz

Hohenzollern Castle is a castle located around 50 kilometers (31 mi) south of Stuttgart, Germany. It is regarded as the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern family, which emerged in the Middle Ages and eventually became German Emperors. Enriched with numerous towers and turrets, Hohenzollern Castle is positioned on top of Mount Hohenzollern, at an elevation of 855 meters above sea level. Privately owned, Hohenzollern is an important site in Purssian history. The castle was the ancestral home of the Hohenzollern dynasty, ruling over Prussia from the Middle Ages up until the end of the First World War.



9. Himeji Castle, Japan

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By Rdsmith4

By Bernard Gagnon

Himeji Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle found in Himeji, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The castle is considered to be the finest remaining example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture. The castle is often known as Hakuro-jō ("White Egret Castle") or Shirasagi-jō ("White Heron Castle") due to its brilliant white colored exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight. Unlike many other Japanese castles, Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and stands up in its authentic form. Himeji Castle is both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site.



8. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

By Thomas Wolf

By Regina Mengel

By Tamcgath

Neuschwanstein Castle is a nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the small town of Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner. Neuschwanstein is famous all over the world as a representation of idealised romantic architecture and also for the tragic story of its owner. After losing sovereignty in his own kingdom, Ludwig II withdrew into his very own world of myths, legend and fairytales.



7. Kylemore Abbey Castle, Ireland

By Textman

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By High Contrast

Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the land of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. Kylemore is home to a community of nuns of the Benedictine Order who moved here in 1920 after their abbey in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in World War I. Settling at Kylemore, the Benedictine Community started restoring the Abbey, Gothic Church and Victorian Walled Garden to their previous glory. The stunning landscape and iconic impression of a gothic castle reflected in a Connemara lake has made Kylemore Abbey world-famous and it is now the major tourist attraction in the west of Ireland.



6. Burg Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria

By Wolfgang

By Johann Jaritz

By Johann Jaritz

Hochosterwitz Castle is located in the state of Carinthia, Austria. It perched on a 160m high rock rising from the plains and can be viewed from 20 miles away on a clear day. Hochosterwitz Castle is Austria's most popular and most impressive castle with history since the 10th century. The 14 gates of Hochosterwitz Castle make this Middle ages fortress one of the most impregnable in entire of Europe.



5. Trakai Castle, Lithuania

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By anjči

By cangaroojack

Trakai Island Castle is a 14th century island castle within Trakai, Lithuania, positioned between the hills, forests and lakes. The castle is sometimes called "Little Marienburg". Trakai and Trakai Castle are one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the castle held significant strategic importance.Some events such as the Day of the Crafts and Middle Ages or performances of Pilėnai opera are periodically held in the castle courtyards.



4. Mont Saint Michel Castle, France

By DAVID ILIFF

By Benh LIEU SONG

By Uwe Küchler

Mont Saint-Michel is one of France’s most iconic places of interest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated on a rocky tidal island approximately a mile off coast of Normandy, and about 150 miles from Paris. The castle is best known for the middle ages Benedictine Abbey and steepled church that covers the majority of the 1 km diameter clump of rocks jutting out of the waters of the English Channel. It also one of the most popular attractions in France, exhibiting it's uniqueness and undoubtedly incredible view.



3. Hohenwerfen Castle, Germany

By Memorator

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Hohenwerfen Castle stands high above the Austrian town of Werfen in the Salzach valley, approximately 40 km (25 mi) south of Salzburg. The castle is dramatically placed on a rocky plinth, surrounded by the sharp snow-capped Alps and the adjacent Tennengebirge mountain range. The first fortifications of Hohenwerfen were built in around 1077. The reason for building in this location was purely defensive, designed to protect the city of Salzburg. Nowadays the bastion, enlarged and renovated several times over the centuries, performs as an adventure castle for its visitors. Among the various attractions offered by the fortress are guided tours displaying its extensive weapons collection, the historical Salzburg Falconry with the falconry museum along with a fortress tavern. The historic Falconry Centre is a unique attraction, featuring daily flight demonstrations by various birds of prey.



2. Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

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By DAVID ILIFF

By Moralist

Eilean Donan Castle sits at the point where three Scottish Lochs Meet; Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands of Scotland. In a superbly beautiful and romantic setting, Eilean Donan Castle possesses a dream like quality. This thirteenth century castle means simply "island of Donnán", is named after Donnán of Eigg, a Celtic saint martyred in 617. Some people say Eilean Donan is the most beautiful castle in Scotland.



1. Peles Castle, Romania

By Aleksandar Cocek

By Geluxc

By TiberiuSahlean

Peleș Castle is a Neo-Renaissance castle near Sinaia, in Prahova County, Romania, on an existing middle ages path connecting Transylvania and Wallachia, built between 1873 and 1914. Peles Castle is believed by many, one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe. It was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs such as King Carol I, who died here in 1914. Positioned in the southeastern Carpathian Mountains, and surrounded by incredibly beautiful landscape with gardens built on terraces, all at the edge of dense forests, Peleş Castle is not just a pleasurable place during summer time; it has been conceived to be also a national monument.