Origami fish are perfect paper crafts for kids of all ages! These underwater creatures are not only fun to make but also help develop fine motor skills and concentration.
In this article, we’ll explore over 10 different fish-inspired origami designs that range from super easy to moderately challenging.
Whether you’re folding with your children or looking for a relaxing craft activity, these step-by-step instructions will guide you through creating your own paper aquarium. Let’s dive in!
Beyond origami fish, explore our Origami Sea Creatures collection and the broader Origami Animals family. Try Origami Birds including the classic Origami Crane, discover Origami Insects, and browse our dedicated Origami Butterflies.
Our Easy Origami page features simple tutorials, while Origami Instructions provides convenient access to all OrigamiOK origami instructions.
Quick Preview of 10+ Easy Origami Fish Models
1. Easy Origami Tropical Fish
Folding time: 5 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Easy, Beginner friendly
This tropical fish is the perfect starting point for beginners. Using just a 15×15 cm square paper and following 9 simple steps, you can create a cute triangular tropical fish in about 5 minutes.
The simple design makes it ideal for younger kids who are just getting started with origami. The bright colors of tropical fish make this a fun first project!
2. Easy Origami Fish
Folding time: 10 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Easy
After mastering the tropical fish, try this classic origami fish design that you might recognize from many origami books. This traditional model takes about 10 minutes to complete with 19 steps, using the same 15×15 cm square paper.
The fins and tail in this design are more defined than our simpler tropical fish, giving it a more realistic appearance. Kids love watching their collection of fish grow with different designs!
3. Origami Koi Fish
Folding time: 20 minutes
Paper: 7.5×15 cm
Difficulty: Middle
The koi fish is a symbol of perseverance and strength in Japanese culture. This elegant design requires a 7.5×15 cm rectangular paper and takes about 20 minutes to complete with 25 steps.
The dramatic flowing tail that koi are known for makes this model particularly attractive. While slightly more challenging than our first two fish, the result is definitely worth the extra effort!
4. Dollar Bill Origami Koi Fish
Folding time: 15 minutes
Paper: A dollar bill
Difficulty: Easy
Want to try something different? This money fish uses a dollar bill instead of traditional origami paper! The rectangular shape of currency is perfect for creating another version of the koi fish.
The printed patterns on the bill create interesting scales on your fish, making each one unique. You can adjust the tail length by folding up part of the bill before completing the tail folds if you prefer a shorter version. This takes about 15 minutes and makes a fun gift or tip for waitstaff!
5. Origami Seahorse
Folding time: 10 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Easy, Beginner friendly
Surprised to see a seahorse in our fish collection? While they might look unusual, seahorses are indeed fish! They belong to the genus Hippocampus and are known for their unique body shape and the fact that male seahorses carry the babies.
Our origami seahorse uses a 15×15 cm square paper and takes about 10 minutes with 24 steps. I’ve simplified the tail portion from the traditional design (which usually requires multiple inside reverse folds) to make it more accessible for kids while still maintaining the characteristic curved seahorse shape.
6. Easy Origami Shark
Folding time: 8 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Easy, Beginner friendly
Everyone’s favorite ocean predator, the shark has a streamlined body and powerful presence.
This simple shark design uses a 15×15 cm square paper and can be completed in just 8 minutes following 13 easy steps.
Don’t forget to add the mouth and eyes at the end to give your shark its fearsome look! This model is popular with kids who love ocean predators.
7. Sticky Note Origami Shark
Folding time: 20 minutes
Paper: 7.5cm x 7.5cm
Difficulty: Middle
While this sticky note shark is designed for small 7.5×7.5 cm paper, you might want to start with larger paper if you’re new to origami.
This version is more detailed than our easy shark and takes about 20 minutes with 26 steps.
The increased complexity results in a more realistic shark with better defined fins. Once you’ve mastered it with larger paper, challenge yourself by trying the authentic sticky note size!
8. Origami Shark (Advanced Origami)
Folding time: 30 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Middle
This 3D origami shark is our most complex shark design. Using a 15×15 cm square paper, this model takes about 30 minutes to complete with 35 steps.
The finished model features realistic details like gills, multiple fins, and an open mouth. If you’ve enjoyed our simpler fish designs, this model offers a satisfying challenge that really showcases how origami can capture the essence of these powerful creatures.
9. Origami Cute Whale
Folding time: 20 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Middle
Did you know that whales aren’t actually fish? They’re marine mammals that breathe air, give birth to live young, and produce milk for their babies. Despite this biological difference, we’ve included them in our collection because of their ocean habitat!
This adorable whale design features a distinctive square head that gives it a cute, cartoonish look. Using a 15×15 cm square paper, it takes about 20 minutes to complete with 39 steps. The geometric shape makes this model stand out from our other designs.
10. Origami Whale
Folding time: 20 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Middle
This realistic whale design captures the moment when a whale surfaces to breathe. It’s simpler than our cute whale design but still captures the majestic nature of these enormous creatures.
Using a 15×15 cm square paper, you can complete this model in about 20 minutes following 27 steps.
The streamlined form really showcases the whale’s distinctive body shape.
11. Origami Dolphin
Folding time: 15 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Middle
Like whales, dolphins are also marine mammals rather than fish. Known for their intelligence and playful nature, dolphins can swim at speeds up to 37 mph thanks to their streamlined bodies.
Our 3D origami dolphin perfectly captures this hydrodynamic form. Using a 15×15 cm square paper, this model takes about 15 minutes with 23 steps. The proportions of this design are particularly well-balanced, creating a realistic representation of these amazing creatures.
Ready to Dive In?
Now that you’ve seen all these amazing origami fish designs, it’s time to get folding! Try using different colors and patterns of paper to create your own unique underwater world. Metallic papers work beautifully for scales, while patterned papers can create interesting effects on the fish bodies.
Remember that practice makes perfect with origami, so don’t worry if your first attempts aren’t perfect. Each time you fold, your skills will improve!
If you enjoy these fish designs, be sure to check out our 18 Origami Sea Creatures guide where we cover even more ocean-inspired origami like jellyfish, Octopus, and many other fascinating marine creatures. We’ll also be regularly updating this fish collection with new designs, so bookmark both pages and visit often for more underwater origami inspiration. Happy folding!
