
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.
Long-Spined Pufferfish
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Spanish Hogfish
Spotted Wrasse
Belted Wrasse
Bicolor Cleaner Wrasse
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Bird Wrasse
Harlequin Tuskfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Bluelined Hind
Half Black Angelfish
Compressed Toby
Diana’s Hogfish
Masked Pufferfish
Yellowtail Coris Wrasse
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Valentini Puffer
Spotfin Hogfish
Sergeant Major
Lemon Damselfish
Overview Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly found in coral reefs and shallow lagoons. Easily identifiable by its vibrant yellow body and occasionally subtle blue markings around its face and fins. Known for being hardy, active, and moderately territorial; suitable...
Flashing Tilefish
Dusky Wrasse
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Copperband Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Bicolor Parrotfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Ambon Puffer
Axilspot Hogfish
Blue-Spotted Wrasse
Clown Wrasse
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer
Starry Pufferfish
Lyretail Grouper
Jewel Damselfish
Overview Found in the Indo-Pacific region, especially around coral reefs, lagoons, and reef flats. Displays an iridescent blue body with jewel-like spots, which become more pronounced under reef lighting. Territorial and bold, especially as it matures, making it...
Horned Bannerfish
Checkerboard Wrasse
Four-Stripe Damselfish
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Coral Grouper
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Split-Level Hogfish
Map Pufferfish
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby
White-Spotted Pufferfish
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....