
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
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...
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Three-Spot Damselfish
Yellowtail Blue Damselfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Sergeant Major
Lyretail Grouper
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...
Allen’s Damselfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, often found in coral reefs and shallow lagoons. Distinctively bright metallic blue body with vibrant yellow anal and tail fins. Known for its active, playful behavior and striking appearance. Hardy and suitable for beginner and...
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....
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...
Pennant Bannerfish
Kole Tang
Blue Chromis
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
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...
Red Sea bannerfish
White-streaked Grouper
Reticulated Damselfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Princess Damselfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly found in coral-rich lagoons and outer reef slopes. Small, vibrant fish with a striking combination of electric blue and purple hues, often with subtle spots or lines on the body. Hardy and active, making it a popular...
Jewel Damselfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region, especially around coral reefs, lagoons, and reef flats. Displays an iridescent blue body with jewel-like spots, which become more pronounced under reef lighting. Territorial and bold, especially as it matures, making it...
Rosenblatt’s Jawfish
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....
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Humpback Grouper
Black-Axil Chromis
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Tobacco Basslet
Azure Damselfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Fiji Blue Devil Damselfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Sohal Tang
Brown Tang
Pajama Cardinalfish
Lemon Damselfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly found in coral reefs and shallow lagoons. Easily identifiable by its vibrant yellow body and occasionally subtle blue markings around its face and fins. Known for being hardy, active, and moderately territorial; suitable...
Blue Tang
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...
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...
Four-Stripe Damselfish
Green Chromis
Copperband Butterflyfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Zebra Dartfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Barred Soapfish
Talbot’s Damselfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
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...
Goldbelly Damselfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, frequently found in shallow lagoons and coral-rich reefs. Characterized by its striking metallic blue body with a bright golden-yellow belly. Known for being hardy, active, and somewhat territorial; popular among marine hobbyists....