
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.
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Smith’s Fangblenny
Schooling Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Yellow Watchman Goby
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Lyretail Grouper
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
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...
Flame Hawkfish
Decorated Goby
Neon Goby
Bicolor Blenny
Humpback Grouper
Copperband Butterflyfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Tobacco Basslet
Goldspot Blenny
Pyramid Butterflyfish
White-streaked Grouper
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Diamond Goby
Pajama Cardinalfish
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...
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...
Horned Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Fingered Dragonet
Redbarred Hawkfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Spotted shrimp goby
Starry Dragonet
Zebra Dartfish
Singular Bannerfish
Sharknose Goby
Speckled Blue Grouper
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Mandarin Dragonet
Lawnmower Blenny
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...
Helfrich’s Firefish
Pennant Bannerfish
Leopard Blenny
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Coral Hawkfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
Spotted Mandarin
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
Yellow Clown Goby
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Blackray Shrimp Goby
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 Hawkfish
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...