
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
Tobacco Basslet
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Threadfin Cardinalfish
Brown Tang
Halfmoon Triggerfish
One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
Picasso Triggerfish
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...
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
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
Yellow Tang
Redcoat Squirrelfish
Red Sea bannerfish
White-streaked Grouper
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Magnificent Rabbitfish
Crown Squirrelfish
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...
Darkfin Soldierfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region. Known for their reddish coloration and deep body shape, typical of soldierfish. They have large eyes, adapted for nocturnal activity. Shadowfin soldierfish are often found in caves or under ledges. Feeding They are nocturnal...
Kole Tang
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Clown Triggerfish
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Sargassum Triggerfish
Rectangle Triggerfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Speckled Blue Grouper
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Seale’s Cardinalfish
Whitecheek Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Pajama Cardinalfish
Orange-Spotted Spinefoot
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Blue Tang
Horned Bannerfish
Humpback Grouper
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
Barhead Spinefoot
Shortnose Unicornfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Twospot Cardinalfish
Purple Tang
Lyretail Grouper
Foxface Rabbitfish
Coral Rabbitfish
Arabian 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....