
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
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Spotted Wrasse
Lyretail Grouper
Crown Squirrelfish
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....
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Mimic Tang
Redcoat Squirrelfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Sohal Tang
Sixbar Wrasse
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 Cleaner Wrasse
Dusky Wrasse
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Axilspot Hogfish
Orange Shoulder Tang
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Spanish Hogfish
Whitecheek Tang
Belted Wrasse
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...
Horned Bannerfish
Checkerboard Wrasse
Humpback Grouper
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Peacock Grouper
Split-Level Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Lined Surgeonfish
Clown Wrasse
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Hawaiian Squirrelfish
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...