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
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
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Diamond Goby
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...
Blue Hamlet
Pennant Bannerfish
Leopard Blenny
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Smith’s Fangblenny
Schooling Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Blackray Shrimp Goby
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
Stark’s Tilefish
Curious Wormfish
Midas Blenny
Redbarred Hawkfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Goldspot Blenny
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Lawnmower Blenny
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...
Flashing Tilefish
Neon Goby
Bicolor Blenny
Coral Hawkfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Zebra Dartfish
Singular Bannerfish
Sharknose Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded 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...
Flame Hawkfish
Decorated Goby
Horned Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Falco Hawkfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
