
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
Yellow Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
Tobacco Basslet
Rectangle Triggerfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Smith’s Fangblenny
Goldspot Blenny
White-streaked Grouper
Speckled Blue Grouper
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Long-Spined Pufferfish
Valentini Puffer
Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer
Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby
Queen Triggerfish
Starry Pufferfish
White-Spotted Pufferfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Sohal Tang
Whitecheek Tang
Purple Tang
Brown Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Lyretail Grouper
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
Lawnmower Blenny
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Picasso Triggerfish
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...
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...
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...
Blue Tang
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....
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...