
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
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Sohal Tang
Belted Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Atlantic Spadefish
Split-Level Hogfish
Ochre-striped Cardinalfish
Lined Surgeonfish
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Spanish Hogfish
Whitecheek 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....
Blue Hamlet
Dusky Wrasse
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Five-lined Cardinalfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Blackfin Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Clown Wrasse
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Spotfin Hogfish
Blue Throat 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...
Horned Bannerfish
Checkerboard Wrasse
Pineapplefish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Diana’s Hogfish
Mimic Tang
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Spotted Wrasse
Sixbar Wrasse
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....