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
Zebra Lionfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Radiata Lionfish
Blue Hamlet
Pennant Bannerfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Lined Surgeonfish
Red Lionfish
Dwarf Lionfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Sohal Tang
Mombasa Lionfish
Horned Bannerfish
Longfin Bannerfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Lyretail Hogfish
Russell’s Lionfish
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Whitecheek Tang
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....
Phantom Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Mimic Tang
Antennata Lionfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
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...
Masked Bannerfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
