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.

Red Lionfish

Scissortail Dartfish

Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly inhabiting reef slopes, lagoons, and sandy rubble areas. Recognizable by its slender body, pale bluish-grey coloration, and distinct black fins. Peaceful and shy nature, often observed hovering in open water above reefs or...

Red Sea bannerfish

Red Sea Mimic Blenny

Pearlscale Butterflyfish

Mirror Butterflyfish

Saddleback Butterflyfish

Threadfin Cardinalfish

Radiata Lionfish

Bluestriped Fangblenny

Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found near coral reefs and lagoon habitats. Distinctive slender body with alternating bright blue and black horizontal stripes. Known for its unique behavior of mimicking cleaner wrasses to approach other fish and...

Helfrich’s Firefish

Masked Bannerfish

Leopard Blenny

Messmate Pipefish

Melon Butterflyfish

Ornate Butterflyfish

Blackback Butterflyfish

Klein’s Butterflyfish

Burgess’ Butterflyfish

Half Black Angelfish

Ochre-striped Cardinalfish

Russell’s Lionfish

Smith’s Fangblenny

Schooling Bannerfish

Zebra Lionfish

Vagabond Butterflyfish

Rainford’s Butterflyfish

Threadfin Butterflyfish

Orbiculate Cardinalfish

Mombasa Lionfish

Convict Blenny

Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral reefs and rocky crevices. Distinctive eel-like body with striking black and white horizontal stripes, resembling a "convict" pattern. Known for its unique burrowing and schooling behavior, often...

Decorated Dartfish

Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their elegant appearance with elongated dorsal fin rays and vibrant coloration, often including shades of purple, red, and white. They have a slender body and a peaceful demeanor. Decorated dartfish are often seen...

Pennant Bannerfish

Midas Blenny

Copperband Butterflyfish

Golden Butterflyfish

Eightband Butterflyfish

Oval Butterflyfish

Saddleback Butterflyfish

Bennett’s Butterflyfish

Herald’s Angelfish

Porkfish

Antennata Lionfish

Goldspot Blenny

Pyramid Butterflyfish

Dwarf Lionfish

Teardrop Butterflyfish

Spotband Butterflyfish

Seale’s Cardinalfish

Pajama Cardinalfish

Blue Gudgeon

Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, frequently found over sand and rubble substrates near reefs. Distinctive slender body with a pale blue-green coloration and iridescent blue highlights along its sides. Known for peaceful and timid behavior, typically...

Longnose Filefish

Horned Bannerfish

Longfin Bannerfish

Bicolor Blenny

Five-lined Cardinalfish

Latticed Butterflyfish

Meyer’s Butterflyfish

Lined Butterflyfish

Collare Butterflyfish

Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish

Coral Beauty Angelfish

Zebra Dartfish

Singular Bannerfish

Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish

Fu Manchu Lionfish

Tinker’s Butterflyfish

Raccoon Butterflyfish

Twospot Cardinalfish

Lawnmower Blenny

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...

Firefish Goby

Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their striking appearance with elongated dorsal and caudal fin rays, and vibrant coloration, typically red, white, and yellow. They have a slender body and a peaceful demeanor. Magnificent dartfish are often seen...