
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
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...
Squarespot Anthias
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found on reef slopes and coral-rich lagoons. Distinctive appearance featuring a vibrant pinkish-purple body with a prominent square-shaped pink or lavender marking on its sides. A peaceful schooling species valued...
Fourline Wrasse
Tail-spot wrasse
Yellow Watchman Goby
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Spotted Wrasse
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Purple Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Fathead Sunburst Anthias
Lyretail Anthias
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found on outer reef slopes and drop-offs. Males are bright orange to reddish-orange with long trailing fin extensions; females are yellow-orange and more slender. Highly active and social schooling fish that prefer...
Dispar Anthias
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, especially around reef slopes and outer reef drop-offs. Displays vibrant orange to reddish coloration in males, while females are more subdued in color. A peaceful and active schooling fish, often seen mid-water in groups above...
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...
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Radiant Wrasse
Curious Wormfish
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Atlantic Spadefish
Marine Betta
Axilspot Hogfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
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...
Threadfin Anthias
Overview Native to the Western Pacific, frequently found around reef slopes and coral-rich areas. Notable for its beautiful coloration, featuring a pinkish body, vibrant red-orange dorsal fins, and elongated thread-like fin rays in males. A peaceful schooling species...
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Brown Tang
Diamond Goby
Blackray Shrimp Goby
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Princess Anthias
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically found in outer reef slopes and drop-offs. Distinguished by its vivid pink and purple hues with subtle yellow highlights, especially in males. A peaceful, schooling species often seen swimming in the water column...
Cooper’s Anthias
Overview Found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, particularly near coral slopes and reef drop-offs. Males display a bold reddish-pink body with a lavender hue, while females are more orange or yellow-toned. A mid-water schooling fish known for its beauty and...
Blue Tang
Allen’s Wrasse
Decorated Goby
Checkerboard Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Pineapplefish
Half Black Angelfish
Split-Level Hogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Spotted shrimp goby
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Sargassum Triggerfish
Barhead Spinefoot
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...
Carberry’s Anthias
Marcos’ Wrasse
Sharknose Goby
Clown Wrasse
Spotfin Hogfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Moon Wrasse
Belted Wrasse
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Arabian 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...
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....
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
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Herald’s Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Rectangle Triggerfish
Redband Anthias
Overview Native to the Western Pacific, especially near coral reef drop-offs and outer reef slopes. Features a vibrant pink to reddish body with a distinct vertical red bar on the side, more prominent in males. Schooling species often seen swimming mid-water above...
Shortnose Unicornfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Yellow Clown Goby
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Queen Triggerfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Whitecheek Tang
Peacock Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Lori’s Anthias
Overview Native to the Western Pacific, typically inhabiting outer reef slopes and drop-offs. Known for its vivid pink and red coloration, with males displaying a more intense hue and extended fin rays. A peaceful, active schooling species often found hovering in...
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...