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
Red Lionfish
Carberry’s Anthias
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Saddleback Clownfish
Brown Tang
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
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...
Blue Tang
Banded Pipefish
Atlantic Spadefish
Clown Triggerfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
Russell’s Lionfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Queen Triggerfish
Saddleback Clownfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Pajama Cardinalfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Purple Queen Anthias
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting outer reef slopes and deep coral reef environments. Characterized by its stunning lavender-purple coloration with subtle yellow accents on fins and face. Known for active schooling behavior and striking...
Longnose Filefish
Kole Tang
Half Black Angelfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Sargassum Triggerfish
Antennata Lionfish
Zebra Lionfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Cinnamon Clownfish
Whitecheek Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Fathead Sunburst Anthias
Radiata Lionfish
Bicolor Anthias
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly inhabiting coral reefs and reef slopes. Known for its vibrant coloration with males showcasing a striking mix of pink and orange, while females exhibit a softer yellowish-orange color. A schooling species, prized for its...
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....
Messmate Pipefish
Herald’s Angelfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Rectangle Triggerfish
Yellowstripe Anthias
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly found on coral-rich reef slopes and drop-offs. Recognizable by its vibrant purple body with a distinctive bright yellow stripe running along its dorsal region. A schooling species admired for its striking colors and active...
Dwarf Lionfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Tomato Clownfish
Purple Tang
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Mombasa Lionfish
Bartlett’s Anthias
Overview Native to the Pacific Ocean, particularly common in coral reefs around the Marshall Islands and the Central Pacific. Features a striking coloration with vibrant yellow body, purplish-red upper half, and striking lavender highlights on fins. A schooling...
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...
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
