
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
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Queen Triggerfish
Spotted Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Picasso Triggerfish
Longnose Filefish
Cleaner Wrasse
Longfin Bannerfish
Checkerboard Wrasse
Pineapplefish
Split-Level Hogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Ocellaris Clownfish
Barhead Spinefoot
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Peacock Wrasse
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
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...
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Blackfin Hogfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Orange Skunk Clownfish
Maldives Clownfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Marcos’ Wrasse
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Belted Wrasse
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
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...
Allen’s Wrasse
Phantom Bannerfish
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Harlequin Tuskfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Pink Skunk Clownfish
Clarkii Clownfish
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...
Zigzag Wrasse
Clown Wrasse
Spotfin Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Moon Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Arabian Picasso 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...
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....