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
The Golden Head Sleeper Goby
Rectangle Triggerfish
Singular Bannerfish
Sharknose Goby
Pearlscale Butterflyfish
Mirror Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby
Sohal Tang
Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang
Halfmoon Triggerfish
Picasso Triggerfish
Helfrich’s Firefish
Decorated Goby
Neon Goby
Kole Tang
Pacific Double-Saddle Butterflyfish
Fourspot Butterflyfish
Merten’s Butterflyfish
Orangeface Butterflyfish
Four-Eyed Butterflyfish
Blacktail Butterflyfish
Clown Triggerfish
Diagonal Shrimp Goby
Orange Shoulder Tang
Atlantic Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Starry Dragonet
Zebra Dartfish
Red Sea bannerfish
Yellow Clown Goby
Vagabond Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Butterflyfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Steinitz’s Shrimp Goby
Whitecheek Tang
Blue Throat Triggerfish
Blackray Shrimp Goby
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...
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...
Horned Bannerfish
Big Longnose Butterflyfish
Pink Speckled Shrimp Goby
Melon Butterflyfish
Ornate Butterflyfish
Blackback Butterflyfish
Klein’s Butterflyfish
Burgess’ Butterflyfish
Half Black Angelfish
Sleeper Banded Goby
Indian Ocean Mimic Tang
Lined Surgeonfish
Achilles Tang
Sargassum Triggerfish
Spotted Mandarin
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...
Schooling Bannerfish
Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish
Teardrop Butterflyfish
Spotband Butterflyfish
Queen Triggerfish
Randall’s Shrimp Goby
Purple Tang
Diamond Goby
Blackbelly Triggerfish
Blue 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....
Pennant Bannerfish
Banded Pipefish
Messmate Pipefish
Golden Butterflyfish
Eightband Butterflyfish
Oval Butterflyfish
Saddleback Butterflyfish
Bennett’s Butterflyfish
Herald’s Angelfish
Periophthalma Shrimp Goby
Convict Tang
Powder Blue Surgeonfish
Ward’s Sleeper Goby
Twin-Spot Goby
Shortnose Unicornfish
Pyramid Butterflyfish
Yellow Watchman Goby
Tinker’s Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Rainford’s Goby
Wide-Banded Shrimp Goby
Brown Tang
Mandarin Dragonet
Arabian Picasso Triggerfish
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...
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...
Curious Wormfish
Fingered Dragonet
Copperband Butterflyfish
Latticed Butterflyfish
Meyer’s Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Collare Butterflyfish
Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Spotted shrimp goby
Mimic Tang
