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.
Tobacco Basslet
Goldspot Blenny
Long-Spined Pufferfish
Starry Pufferfish
Blue Gudgeon
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, frequently found over sand and rubble substrates near reefs. Distinctive slender body with a pale blue-green coloration and iridescent blue highlights along its sides. Known for peaceful and timid behavior, typically...
Longnose Filefish
Leopard Blenny
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Ambon Puffer
Immaculate Pufferfish
Pink Skunk Clownfish
Clarkii Clownfish
Zebra Dartfish
White-streaked Grouper
Valentini Puffer
White-Spotted Pufferfish
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...
Firefish Goby
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their striking appearance with elongated dorsal and caudal fin rays, and vibrant coloration, typically red, white, and yellow. They have a slender body and a peaceful demeanor. Magnificent dartfish are often seen...
Midas Blenny
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Black-Spotted Pufferfish
Narrow-Lined Pufferfish
Percula Clownfish
Scissortail Dartfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly inhabiting reef slopes, lagoons, and sandy rubble areas. Recognizable by its slender body, pale bluish-grey coloration, and distinct black fins. Peaceful and shy nature, often observed hovering in open water above reefs or...
Speckled Blue Grouper
Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer
Lyretail Grouper
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...
Helfrich’s Firefish
Bicolor Blenny
Peacock Grouper
Crowned Toby
Guineafowl Pufferfish
Masked Pufferfish
Ocellaris Clownfish
Smith’s Fangblenny
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby
Lawnmower Blenny
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...
Decorated Dartfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their elegant appearance with elongated dorsal fin rays and vibrant coloration, often including shades of purple, red, and white. They have a slender body and a peaceful demeanor. Decorated dartfish are often seen...
Humpback Grouper
Half Black Angelfish
Compressed Toby
Map Pufferfish
Orange Skunk Clownfish
