
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
Rectangle Triggerfish
Striated Wrasse
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific region, typically inhabiting coral-rich reefs and rocky areas. Characterized by its slender, reddish body with horizontal white stripes and iridescent blue markings on the face and fins. Known for being shy and secretive, often seen...
Marcos’ Wrasse
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Redfin Fairy Wrasse
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Belted Wrasse
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Princess Parrotfish
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...
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...
Cleaner Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Yellow Coris Wrasse
Kole Tang
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Mimic Tang
Powder Brown Surgeonfish
Yellow Tang
Zebra Dartfish
Shortnose Unicornfish
Singular Bannerfish
Zigzag Wrasse
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Spotted Wrasse
Brown Tang
Moon Wrasse
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Blackbelly 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...
Helfrich’s Firefish
Peacock Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Dusky Wrasse
Pastel Green Wrasse
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
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...
Fourline Wrasse
Red Sea bannerfish
Tail-spot wrasse
Clown Wrasse
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Sixbar Wrasse
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
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...
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...
Allen’s Wrasse
Horned Bannerfish
Radiant Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Harlequin Tuskfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Bicolor Parrotfish
Split-Level Hogfish
Clown Triggerfish
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Barhead Spinefoot
Sixline Wrasse
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly found in coral reefs and rocky lagoons. Distinctive appearance with vibrant purple-blue body marked by six horizontal orange-red lines. Popular in aquariums for its active behavior and pest control, known to feed on small...
Purple Tilefish
Schooling Bannerfish
Sixline Soapfish
Solar Fairy Wrasse
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Spanish Hogfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Peacock Wrasse
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Picasso Triggerfish
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....
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....