
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.
Sailfin Tang
Zebra Dartfish
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Tomato Clownfish
Sergeant Major
Peacock Wrasse
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Blue Tang
Bluespine Unicorn Tang
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their distinctive long horn-like protrusion on their forehead, which develops with age. They have a laterally compressed body and a lunate tail. Unicorn tangs are active swimmers and often seen grazing on algae....
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....
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Kole Tang
Blue Chromis
Half Black Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Pink Skunk Clownfish
Clarkii Clownfish
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Azure Damselfish
Marcos’ Wrasse
Barred Soapfish
Clown Wrasse
Talbot’s Damselfish
Queen Triggerfish
Spotted Wrasse
Saddleback Clownfish
Purple Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Belted Wrasse
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
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...
Naso Tang
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their distinctive appearance, including a prominent nose horn (more developed in males) and vibrant coloration. They have a laterally compressed body and a lunate tail. Naso tangs are active swimmers and often seen...
Cleaner Wrasse
Radiant Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Black-Axil Chromis
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Percula Clownfish
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Three-Spot Damselfish
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Yellowtail Blue Damselfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Saddleback Clownfish
Sohal Tang
Brown Tang
Moon Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Checkerboard Wrasse
Four-Stripe Damselfish
Green Chromis
Harlequin Tuskfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Ocellaris Clownfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Reticulated Damselfish
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Cinnamon Clownfish
Whitecheek Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Sixbar Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
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...
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...