
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
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Brown Tang
Blue Tang
Horned Bannerfish
Longfin Bannerfish
Humpback Grouper
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Yellow Tang
Red Sea bannerfish
White-streaked Grouper
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Longnose Filefish
Phantom Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Messmate Pipefish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Half Black Angelfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Tobacco Basslet
Schooling Bannerfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Whitecheek Tang
Lyretail Grouper
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....
Masked Bannerfish
Banded Pipefish
Pineapplefish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Bicolor Parrotfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Purple Tang
Princess Parrotfish
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...