The global ornamental fish trade has exhibited a remarkable resilience and growth, increasing from USD 12 million in 1988 to USD 329 million in 2023, a twenty-seven-fold increase over the course of 36 years. The analysis of UN COMTRADE data (HS Codes 030111 and 030119) reveals a long-term upward trajectory, with values stabilizing at historically high levels despite recent global economic uncertainties. Export patterns indicate a significant Asia-centric orientation, as seven of the top ten global exporters from 2019 to 2023 are from the region. The top three suppliers are Japan (14%), Singapore (10%), and Indonesia (10%), with Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia contributing between 4% and 6% per country. The region’s dominance is underscored by the fact that these Asian economies collectively account for well over half of the world’s ornamental fish exports. Conversely, Spain (7%), the Netherlands (7%), and Czechia (6%), which are critical non-Asian players, play significant yet relatively minor roles. The United States of America alone accounts for 24% of global imports, followed by China (8%), the United Kingdom (7%), Japan (6%), and Germany (5%). Malaysia, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR are additional substantial importers, each of which holds a 3–4% stake. This distribution emphasizes a global trade system in which Asia serves as the production base, while North America, Europe, and East Asia are the primary consumer markets. The continued growth of this industry is indicative of the increasing global popularity of ornamental fishes and the efficacy of captive breeding in mitigating dependence on untamed stocks. In order to ensure that this biodiversity-driven, high-value component of the blue economy continues to flourish in the years ahead, it is imperative to fortify certification, sustainability frameworks, and equitable benefit-sharing.