
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
Rectangle Triggerfish
Goldspot Blenny
Red Sea bannerfish
Tail-spot wrasse
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Spotted Wrasse
Brown Tang
Moon Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Lawnmower Blenny
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...
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...
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....
Pennant Bannerfish
Checkerboard Wrasse
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Kole Tang
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
Shortnose Unicornfish
Purple Tilefish
Schooling Bannerfish
Sixline Soapfish
Clown Wrasse
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Sixbar Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Blue Tang
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...
Cleaner Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Leopard Blenny
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
Smith’s Fangblenny
Marcos’ Wrasse
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Spanish Hogfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Peacock Wrasse
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Longnose Filefish
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Midas Blenny
Harlequin Tuskfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Atlantic Spadefish
Split-Level Hogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Redcoat Squirrelfish
Fourline Wrasse
Singular Bannerfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Belted Wrasse
Crown Squirrelfish
Picasso Triggerfish
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....