
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
Schooling Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Blackray Shrimp Goby
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Longnose Hawkfish
Phantom Bannerfish
Curious Wormfish
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Falco Hawkfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Lyretail Hogfish
Orange Skunk Clownfish
Maldives Clownfish
Spotted shrimp goby
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Rectangle Triggerfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
White-streaked Grouper
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Lyretail Grouper
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Flame Hawkfish
Masked Bannerfish
Neon Goby
Humpback Grouper
Copperband Butterflyfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Clown Triggerfish
Pink Skunk Clownfish
Clarkii Clownfish
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Singular Bannerfish
Sharknose Goby
Speckled Blue Grouper
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Diamond Goby
Pajama Cardinalfish
Banggai Cardinalfish
Overview Endemic to the Banggai Islands of Indonesia, typically inhabiting shallow reefs and seagrass beds. Recognizable for its distinctive silver body, bold black vertical stripes, and white spots. Calm and peaceful nature, making it suitable for community reef...
Decorated Goby
Pennant Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Redbarred Hawkfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Percula Clownfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Red Sea bannerfish
Yellow Clown Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
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...