
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.
Tobacco Basslet
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
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...
Horned Bannerfish
Midas Blenny
Copperband Butterflyfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Redcoat Squirrelfish
Red Sea bannerfish
White-streaked Grouper
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Lyretail Grouper
Crown Squirrelfish
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...
Pennant Bannerfish
Bicolor Blenny
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Smith’s Fangblenny
Schooling Bannerfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Lawnmower Blenny
Longnose Filefish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Humpback Grouper
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Lyretail Hogfish
Goldspot Blenny
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Pajama 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...
Darkfin Soldierfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their reddish coloration and deep body shape, typical of soldierfish. They have large eyes, adapted for nocturnal activity. Shadowfin soldierfish are often found in caves or under ledges. Feeding They are nocturnal...