
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.
Barhead Spinefoot
Tobacco Basslet
Red Lionfish
Russell’s Lionfish
Antennata Lionfish
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...
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...
Smith’s Fangblenny
Fourline Wrasse
Goldspot Blenny
Purple Tilefish
Marcos’ Wrasse
Singular Bannerfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Sixline Soapfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
White-streaked Grouper
Speckled Blue Grouper
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Zebra Lionfish
Dwarf Lionfish
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Clown Wrasse
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Spanish Hogfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Spotted Wrasse
Peacock Wrasse
Lyretail Grouper
Moon Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
Belted Wrasse
Foxface Rabbitfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Coral Rabbitfish
Lawnmower Blenny
Radiata Lionfish
Mombasa Lionfish
Maroon Clownfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly inhabiting coral reefs and lagoon areas. Recognizable by its deep maroon coloration with distinctive white or yellowish vertical bands. Known for bold personality, territorial nature, and striking appearance. Popular among...
Bluestriped Fangblenny
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found near coral reefs and lagoon habitats. Distinctive slender body with alternating bright blue and black horizontal stripes. Known for its unique behavior of mimicking cleaner wrasses to approach other fish and...
Convict Blenny
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Distinctive eel-like body with striking black and white horizontal stripes, resembling a "convict" pattern. Known for its unique burrowing and schooling behavior, often...
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...
Longnose Filefish
Peacock Wrasse
Allen’s 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....