
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.
Red Lionfish
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...
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Dwarf Lionfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Starry Pufferfish
Tomato Clownfish
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...
Helfrich’s Firefish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Coral Hawkfish
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Compressed Toby
Map Pufferfish
Russell’s Lionfish
Singular Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Fu Manchu Lionfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Valentini Puffer
White-Spotted Pufferfish
Saddleback Clownfish
Longnose Hawkfish
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...
Swallowtail Hawkfish
Falco Hawkfish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Ambon Puffer
Immaculate Pufferfish
Antennata Lionfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Long-Spined Pufferfish
Spotted Hawkfish
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer
Saddleback Clownfish
Radiata Lionfish
Flame Hawkfish
Horned Bannerfish
Pineapplefish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Black-Spotted Pufferfish
Narrow-Lined Pufferfish
Zebra Dartfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Zebra Lionfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby
Cinnamon Clownfish
Mombasa Lionfish
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...