
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
Spotted Mandarin
Shortnose Unicornfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Whitecheek Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
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....
Bicolor Blenny
Humpback Grouper
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
Barhead Spinefoot
Smith’s Fangblenny
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Purple Tang
Lyretail Grouper
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Lawnmower Blenny
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...
Banded Pipefish
Messmate Pipefish
Peacock Grouper
Clown Triggerfish
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
Tobacco Basslet
Goldspot Blenny
Queen Triggerfish
Brown Tang
Mandarin Dragonet
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Blackbelly 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...