
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
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Shortnose Unicornfish
Yellow Clown Goby
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Blackray Shrimp Goby
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Lawnmower Blenny
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...
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....
Stark’s Tilefish
Leopard Blenny
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Yellow Tang
Twin-Spot Goby
Smith’s Fangblenny
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Twospot Cardinalfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Whitecheek Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
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...
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...
Flashing Tilefish
Midas Blenny
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Clown Triggerfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Sargassum Triggerfish
Barhead Spinefoot
Goldspot Blenny
Yellow Watchman Goby
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Purple Tang
Diamond Goby
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
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...