
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.
Sargassum Triggerfish
Barhead Spinefoot
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...
Singular Bannerfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Yellow Clown Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Peacock Wrasse
Moon Wrasse
Belted Wrasse
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Picasso Triggerfish
Allen’s Wrasse
Decorated Goby
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Harlequin Tuskfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Pink Skunk Clownfish
Clarkii Clownfish
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Tobacco Basslet
Fourline Wrasse
Red Sea bannerfish
Tail-spot wrasse
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Sixbar Wrasse
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
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...
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....
Horned Bannerfish
Radiant Wrasse
Curious Wormfish
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Split-Level Hogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Percula Clownfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Rectangle Triggerfish
Purple Tilefish
Schooling Bannerfish
Sixline Soapfish
White-streaked Grouper
Clown Wrasse
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Spotted Wrasse
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Lyretail Grouper
Halfmoon Triggerfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
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
Pennant Bannerfish
Checkerboard Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Humpback Grouper
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Ocellaris Clownfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Twin-Spot 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...