
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
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
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...
Rosenblatt’s Jawfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Falco Hawkfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Clown Triggerfish
Barhead Spinefoot
Red Sea bannerfish
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Halfmoon Triggerfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Longnose Filefish
Flame Hawkfish
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Orange-Lined Cardinalfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
Longnose Hawkfish
Horned Bannerfish
Redbarred Hawkfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
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...
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
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....