
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
Tobacco Basslet
Shortnose Unicornfish
Marcos’ Wrasse
Brazilian Basslet
Clown Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Moon Wrasse
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Longnose Hawkfish
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Checkerboard Wrasse
Royal Gramma
Kole Tang
Coral Hawkfish
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Yellow Tang
Rectangle Triggerfish
Fourline Wrasse
Zigzag Wrasse
White-streaked Grouper
Spotted Hawkfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Whitecheek Tang
Peacock Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Harlequin Bass
Picasso Triggerfish
Flame Hawkfish
Allen’s Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Humpback Grouper
Falco Hawkfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Sargassum Triggerfish
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...
Saddled Basslet
Tail-spot wrasse
Speckled Blue Grouper
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Queen Triggerfish
Purple Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Lantern Bass
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...
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....
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Banded Pipefish
Messmate Pipefish
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Peacock Grouper
Split-Level Hogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Barhead Spinefoot
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...
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Spotted Wrasse
Brown Tang
Lyretail Grouper
Belted Wrasse
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Blue Tang
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...