
Popular Saltwater Fish Species for your Aquarium
Here are some of the most popular saltwater fish species that are commonly kept in aquariums, each with unique characteristics and care requirements.
A common rule of thumb for how many marine fish you can keep in an aquarium is to allow 1 inch of fish per gallon of water; however, this can vary depending on the specific fish species and their size, with reef tanks generally requiring even more space per fish due to their larger waste output and need for swimming room.
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Striated Wrasse
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral-rich reefs and rocky areas. Characterized by its slender, reddish body with horizontal white stripes and iridescent blue markings on the face and fins. Known for being shy and secretive, often seen...
Zigzag Wrasse
Yellow Clown Goby
Clown Wrasse
Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer
Starry Pufferfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Peacock Wrasse
Blackray Shrimp Goby
Allen’s Wrasse
Decorated Goby
Checkerboard Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Marine Betta
Axilspot Hogfish
Immaculate Pufferfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Long-Spined Pufferfish
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby
White-Spotted Pufferfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Diamond Goby
Belted Wrasse
Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their role in cleaning other fish by removing parasites. They have a slender body and a distinctive swimming pattern. Cleaner wrasses establish cleaning stations on the reef. Feeding They are primarily carnivores....
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Neon Goby
Harlequin Tuskfish
Crowned Toby
Split-Level Hogfish
Black-Spotted Pufferfish
Narrow-Lined Pufferfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Yellow Watchman Goby
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Spotted Wrasse
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Moon Wrasse
Filamented Flasher Wrasse
Overview Native to the Western Pacific Ocean. Known for the elongated filaments on the dorsal fin of males, used in their flashing displays. Small and slender-bodied, with vibrant coloration that intensifies during courtship. Peaceful and active, preferring reef...
Cleaner Wrasse
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Half Black Angelfish
Compressed Toby
Blackfin Hogfish
Guineafowl Pufferfish
Masked Pufferfish
Spotted shrimp goby
Sixline Wrasse
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly found in coral reefs and rocky lagoons. Distinctive appearance with vibrant purple-blue body marked by six horizontal orange-red lines. Popular in aquariums for its active behavior and pest control, known to feed on small...