
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.
Sargassum Triggerfish
Smith’s Fangblenny
Marcos’ Wrasse
White-streaked Grouper
Clown Wrasse
Spanish Hogfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
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...
Flame Hawkfish
Cleaner Wrasse
Radiant Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Falco Hawkfish
Atlantic Spadefish
Half Black Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Tobacco Basslet
Fourline Wrasse
Zigzag Wrasse
Speckled Blue Grouper
Spotted Hawkfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Lyretail Grouper
Belted Wrasse
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Longnose Hawkfish
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Checkerboard Wrasse
Leopard Blenny
Humpback Grouper
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Goldspot Blenny
Tail-spot wrasse
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Queen Triggerfish
Spotted Wrasse
Moon Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Goldspecs Jawfish
Overview Found in various marine environments worldwide. Known for their characteristic large mouths and burrowing behavior. They have elongated bodies and are often colorful. Jawfish are peaceful and have a distinctive behavior of building and inhabiting burrows....
Allen’s Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Midas Blenny
Redbarred Hawkfish
Harlequin Tuskfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Yellowhead Jawfish
Overview Found in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea. Known for their bright yellow head and elongated body. They have a large mouth and are often seen hovering near their burrows. Yellowhead jawfish are peaceful and have a distinctive behavior of...
Purple Tilefish
Sixline Soapfish
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Peacock Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Rosenblatt’s Jawfish
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....