Ornamental Fishes are kept in home aquariums, or for aesthetic purposes are considered ornamental fish. These fishes encompass a wide variety of species, of many shapes, sizes, and colors. Ornamental fish are usually kept in tanks or other aquarium systems.
The main ornamental fish species dominating the Sri Lankan export market are Guppy, Neon tetra, Platy, Swordtails, Molly, Angels, Goldfish. Ornamental fish are usually kept in tanks or other aquarium systems. Water quality is extremely important in aquaculture, because the fish are dependent on the caretaker for their health.

The aquarium fish industry in Sri Lanka has become a valuable foreign exchange earner during the past few years. Sri Lankan ornamental fish exports for the international market include locally wild caught marine, brackish-water and freshwater species as well as captive bred freshwater fish. Sri Lanka contributes approximately 1% of the world's demand for ornamental fish. Of the freshwater fish species exported from Sri Lanka, the guppy ranks the highest (67% by number), followed by swordtails, angels, platies and various species of tetras.

The benefits of ornamental fish is attached to nature, stress reliever, mood switcher are just some of the benefits of getting into ornamental fishkeeping, according to a new hobbyist.