
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
Tobacco Basslet
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
White-streaked Grouper
Clown Wrasse
Spotfin Hogfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Peacock Wrasse
Moon Wrasse
Belted Wrasse
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....
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Neon Goby
Harlequin Tuskfish
Peacock Grouper
Marine Betta
Axilspot Hogfish
Pink Skunk Clownfish
Clarkii Clownfish
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Rectangle Triggerfish
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Queen Triggerfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Sixbar Wrasse
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
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Atlantic Spadefish
Half Black Angelfish
Split-Level Hogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Percula Clownfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper 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...
Marcos’ Wrasse
Sharknose Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Spotted Wrasse
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Lyretail Grouper
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Radiant Wrasse
Curious Wormfish
Humpback Grouper
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Ocellaris Clownfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Twin-Spot 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...