The main artwork depicts a dense collection of various tropical fish packed tightly against a deep blue background. The composition is structured like a crowded aquarium, featuring a diverse array of species including a seahorse, triggerfish, angelfish, and various rays and reef-dwellers. The fish are layered vertically, creating a busy, bustling scene that emphasizes the variety and vibrant textures of marine life.
At the very top and bottom of the central illustration are two horizontal borders featuring a systematic gallery of smaller, labeled illustrations of fish, arranged in a row like a field guide. The central body of the image focuses on the larger, more detailed specimens that overlap one another, filling the space from the top-middle to the sandy, coral-strewn ocean floor at the base.
The colour palette is dominated by deep oceanic blues, providing a cool contrast to the warm yellows, oranges, reds, and stark black-and-white patterns of the fish. The artistic style is that of a detailed, realistic natural history illustration, likely rendered in gouache or acrylic. The lighting is bright and even, highlighting the iridescent scales, striped patterns, and unique fin shapes of each creature without deep shadows, giving the overall scene a clean and educational aesthetic.